The Patriots improve to 21-2 and set a new school record for wins in a season. FMU advances to face the Columbus State University (a 5-1 winner over Georgia College & State University) in a second-round match on Friday at 10 a.m. FMU is hosting the first two rounds on the Kassab Courts.

Francis Marion captured relatively easy wins at No. 1 and 3 doubles, before Klara Vitkova and Valeska Ibscher claimed an 8-5 victory over Erskine’s Britton Bignon and Jenna Tudor at the No. 2 spot.

FMU sophomore Tereza Sykorova won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles over Jennifer Gennaoui. Also simultaneously, Sarka Vitkova earned a 6-1, 6-0 win at No.2 singles and graduate student Magda Jezovicova won 6-0, 6-0 at the No. 6 position.

Sarka Vitkova and senior Jenny Ludwig, ranked 20th nationally in doubles, captured an 8-0 victory at No. 1 doubles to give Francis Marion the early advantage. Sykorova and Jezovicova won 8-2 at No. 3 doubles to remain unbeaten this season at 23-0.

“As a group, we are pleased with our performance today,” Ludwig said. “We are proud to be able to host the regional and excited to get the first-round win.” Jezovicova added, “We anticipate a tough match on Friday, but we feel ready and confident.”

Francis Marion head coach Garth Thomson:

“I am happy with the way we played. We played very efficiently. Our goal was to get to five wins as quickly as possible, and then rest up for tomorrow.

 “Sarka (Vitkova) and Jenny (Ludwig) performed very well at number-one doubles, and then Tereza (Sykorova) and Sarka played well at the top of singles.

“It is also nice to reach 21 wins – a new school record – a great achievement for the ladies.”

Erskine coach Calhoun Parr:

“Francis Marion is a very good team and they played well. My ladies played the best they could, but ran into a tough opponent.

“I am happy with our season, winning the conference regular season and tournament championships. We need to keep making progress to advance further in the NCAAs.”