COLUMBUS, Ga. – The University of Montevallo women's tennis team fell to nationally-ranked Columbus State University 9-0 in a Peach Belt Conference match March 23.

The Cougars entered the match ranked No. 8 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division II national poll, including a No. 2 ranking in the Southeast Region.

Senior Allison Howell put up a strong fight in a 6-2, 7-5 setback against Rachael Williams of Columbus State in the No. 5 singles' match.

The Falcons' No. 3 doubles' pairing of freshman Alina Munteanu and Allison Whitley played the strongest doubles' match, falling 8-4 to the Cougars' Williams and Saravinder Pannu.

Montevallo will return to action Friday, March 25 with another Peach Belt Conference match against top-ranked Armstrong State University on a neutral court in Morrow, Georgia.