FLORENCE, SC - Francis Marion University’s 2008 tennis seasons get underway on Saturday (Feb. 2) when the Patriot men and women travel to Wilson, N.C., for a noon match-up against Barton College.

FMU will then play its home openers on Sunday at 2 p.m. against local-rival Coker College on the Kassab Courts. Admission is free.

The Patriot men’s and women’s teams are ranked 25th and 15th, respectively, in the 2007 fall Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division II Top 40 preseason polls.

The squads led by veteran coach Garth Thomson, now in his 16th season, each have old and new talent contributing to their rosters this year.

Five letterwinners per squad are returning from last year, while the women have six newcomers and the men gain four new recruits.

In 2007, the Patriot women recorded the second-most wins in FMU history (16-8 record) and advanced to the NCAA Division II tournament for the seventh time in the last 13 seasons, including a second straight appearance in the regional tournament title match.

Heading the returnees on the women’s squad is senior Sarka Vitkova, who posted a 15-6 mark at the No. 1 singles spot last year. She is currently ranked 24th nationally in singles, but will start the season in the No. 2 position behind newcomer Tereza Sykorova.

Vitkova will team with fellow senior returnee Jenny Ludwig to form the No. 1 doubles pair. The duo is currently ranked seventh in NCAA Division II after posting 12-3 record in 2007.

The 2007 FMU men’s team missed out on the NCAA tournament for only the second time in the past 13 seasons, despite being ranked 29th nationally with an 8-10 record. Every loss came at the hands of a nationally ranked opponent.

Senior Franklyn Emmanuel and his 13-3 singles record in 2007 tops the list of men’s returnees. He is currently ranked 20th nationally in singles. He will also join with freshman Oshada Wijemanne to form the No. 1 double team. They are currently ranked 11th nationally.

Thomson owns a 174-141 career coaching record with the women’s team, and a men’s mark of 217-106.

The women have a 20-match schedule set for 2008 that includes 11 home contests, while the men play on the Kassab Courts 10 times during their 19-match slate.