DAHLONEGA, Ga. — One down, one to go.
 
Behind resiliency and a never-quit attitude, the top-seeded Flagler College women's tennis team battled back to defeat fourth-seeded the University of North Georgia 4-2 in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional semifinals at the UNG Tennis Complex at Yahool Creek Monday afternoon.
 
It was the eighth-ranked Saints' third victory over the 17th-ranked Nighthawks (12-5) this season and the best yet as it places Flagler (16-4) in the NCAA DII Southeast Regional championship for the second consecutive season, dating back to the last full season in 2018-19. The Saints will have a rematch from that same regional championship, along with this season's PBC Tournament, versus second-seeded Columbus State University at 3 p.m. Tuesday back at the UNG Tennis courts for their first spot at nationals in Surprise, Arizona, next week.
 
"We didn't play our best tennis today, but I think that says a lot about the girls' fight and perseverance, even when they faced adversity on and off the court," Flagler head coach Rodrigo Puebla said. "We knew coming to North Georgia was going to be a challenge and it showed today because they came out with their best tennis and put us on our heels. Now, we have less than 24 hours to re-group and prepare for another match versus a tough Columbus State team for a spot in the NCAA Elite Eight."
 
The adversity for Flagler began hours before the match — which was pushed up an hour due to rain showers in the area to only be pushed back with another weather cell moving through Dahlonega — and it trickled onto the courts and flurried throughout doubles and singles play. Needless to say, the Saints didn't have the start they had hoped for as the Nighthawks ripped through doubles to take the point and early lead.
 
It didn't get any easier from there, either, but Flagler kept pushing even when North Georgia took a 2-0 lead on court six. First it was 19th-ranked Luisa Hrda as she grinded out the Saints' lone two-set win in top singles behind a tie-breaking set one that put the momentum on her side.
 
Then, it was No. 23-ranked Eden Schlagenhauf and her three-set win on court two to knot the match at 2-all and makes things very interesting. Amelie Vossgaetter was the next as she dropped the second set — after taking a 1-0 lead alike her fellow German Schlagenhauf — and battled back to take set three and the lead, leaving one point to decide the rest.
 
Anika Nissen forced a third set on court four while Alessandra Traub was fighting her way through the same predicament, except she won the first and not the second, to put herself in position to seal the deal. Even down 5-1 in the final set, Traub took it point by point and made adjustments to put her at match point. Cibeles Zuddy took away the first, but then Traub made up for it as she sliced the match point down the line to clinch and send the Saints to the 'ship.
 

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North Georgia vs Flagler
5/10/2021 at Dahlonega, Ga.
(UNG Tennis Complex at Yahoola Creek)
#8 Flagler 4, #17 North Georgia 2
 
Singles competition
1. #19 Luisa Hrda (FLG) def. Vaishali Jorge (UNGW) 7-6, 6-2
2. #23 Eden Schlagenhauf (FLG) def. Anna Markvartova (UNGW) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
3. Alessandra Traub (FLG) def. Cibeles Zuddy (UNGW) 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
4. Anika Nissen (FLG) vs. Annie Adams (UNGW) 6-7, 6-4, 0-0, unfinished
5. Amelie Vossgaetter (FLG) def. C. Labonte Frey (UNGW) 6-1, 6-7, 6-3
6. Johanna Lippert (UNGW) def. Flo. Massardo Brain (FLG) 6-0, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Vaishali Jorge/Johanna Lippert (UNGW) def. #24 Luisa Hrda/Amelie Vossgaetter (FLG) 6-4
2. Anna Markvartova/Annie Adams (UNGW) def. Alessandra Traub/Flo. Massardo Brain (FLG) 6-2
3. Paloma Martinez/Eden Schlagenhauf (FLG) vs. Cibeles Zuddy/C. Labonte Frey (UNGW) 5-4, unfinished
 
Match Notes:
North Georgia 12-5; National ranking #17; Regional ranking #4
Flagler 16-4; National ranking #8; Regional ranking #1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (6,1,2,5,3)