Otago's giant killer Libby Scott, who won the 16 and under national girls individual title last weekend, could not repeat her win over top seed Heidi Stewart (Waikato-Bays) in the national team event in Christchurch.
The Southern No 1 was beaten 1-6, 6-2, 6-2 after an impressive start but team-mate Louise Oxnevad gained a 6-3, 7-5 win against Alexandra Howe.
The all-important doubles went to a third-set tiebreak but the Waikato girls secured a narrow win.
On Sunday, Southern beat Northern 3-0.
Scott was taken to three sets by Christine Foote and Oxnevad was impressive in beating Mikaela Davies 6-4, 6-1.
The Southern girls won the doubles 7-5, 6-4.
Southern completed a straight-sets clean sweep over Canterbury yesterday to hold third place in the overall standings with two rounds to play.
The Southern boys have yet to gain a point from their three rounds but Harry James (Arrowtown) pushed national No 2-ranked Andrew van der Vyver (Waikato) to 6-4 in the third and went three sets with South Canterbury's George Wigley in doubles.
The other ties against Auckland and Canterbury resulted in heavier losses.