COLUMBUS, Ga. – The No. 10 University of North Georgia men's tennis team fell 4-1 in the 2024 Peach Belt Conference Men's Tennis Tournament to second-seeded Columbus State Saturday. 

The Nighthawks finished the tournament in the semifinals for the third time in program history and third such time in the last four years. 

As of Wednesday, Apr. 24, UNG ranked third in the NCAA Southeast region rankings behind No. 2 Flagler and No. 6 Columbus State, both of which will play in the PBC Championship tomorrow. 

On Saturday, prompt losses in the #1 and #3 doubles matches put the Nighthawks in the hole early against the Cougars.

Senior and 2024 PBC Co-Player of the Year Joaquin Benoit got his team right back in the match after taking down CSU's Justin Welz 6-3, 6-0. 

However, the Cougars took the next three singles matches in the #3, #4 and #5 spots to clinch the victory and advance to the Championship. 

The Nighthawks will await their fate in the NCAA Tournament selection process as they hope for an at-large bid in the postseason. The regional selections will take place on Monday, May 6.