LAGRANGE, Ga. — After advancing to the semifinals of the USA South Conference Tournament, the East No. 3-seeded Averett University women's tennis team fell to the East No. 1-seeded N.C. Wesleyan College, 5-0, on Saturday afternoon.

N.C. Wesleyan (14-4, 7-0 USA South), who came into the game undefeated in conference play and ranked No. 11 in the region, swept Averett (13-6, 6-2 USA South) in doubles play to start things off. In No. 1 doubles, the duo of senior Heidi Sarkkinen and sophomore Eleanor Crane played the closest match in an 8-6 loss. The Battling Bishops then earned wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles to seal the match.

This concludes a successful season for the Cougars, who advanced to the semifinal match for the first time since 2010 and clinched a winning season for the first time since 2000. Additionally, this was the final collegiate match for Sarkkinen, who is a four-time USA South Player of the Year that was ranked No. 21 in the nation and No. 15 in the region in singles play this season, and she will go down as one of the best players in program history.