FLORENCE, S.C. – The 27th-ranked Francis Marion University men’s tennis team defeated 21st-ranked Columbus State University 5-4 on Saturday afternoon (March 17), while the eighth-ranked CSU women rallied to claim a 5-4 decision over the 19th-ranked Patriot women.
In the men’s match, Francis Marion (4-4, 1-3 Peach Belt) took two of three doubles matches and then claimed wins at the top three singles positions. Junior Franklyn Emmanuel won 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1 singles to remain unbeaten (8-0) in 2007.
In the women’s match, CSU sophomore Lindsey Groenewald defeated Patriot junior Elizabeth Lee 4-6, 6-0, 7-5 at No. 5 singles in the deciding match. Francis Marion (7-3, 2-2) took a 3-0 lead after doubles play, but the Lady Cougars (7-4, 5-1) won five of the six singles matches. Only senior Kamini Murugaboopathy at No. 2 singles was victorious for the Patriots, winning 6-1, 7-6. Murugaboopathy is 9-1 in singles play this season.
The FMU men will play fourth-ranked Drury University on Thursday at 2 p.m. in Savannah, Ga., while the Patriot women will travel to Clayton State University next Saturday.
MEN: #27 Francis Marion University 5, #21 Columbus State University 4
Singles competition
1. Franklyn Emmanuel (FMU) def. Guillermo Echevarria (CSU) 6-2, 6-3
2. David Budler (FMU) def. Nemanja Djuric (CSU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Chatwinder Singh (FMU) def. Igor Grbic (CSU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
4. Luis Gonzalez (CSU) def. Dananjaya Mayadunne (FMU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Paul Van Rensburg (CSU) def. Matthew Keth (FMU) 6-4, 6-7, 10-6
6. Brent Schoening (CSU) def. James Machlachlan (FMU) 6-0, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Chatwinder Singh/Franklyn Emmanuel (FMU) def. Nemanja Djuric/Igor Grbic (CSU) 8-3
2. David Budler/Matthew Keth (FMU) def. Paul Van Rensburg/Luis Gonzalez (CSU) 8-3
3. Brent Schoening/Guillermo Echevarria (CSU) def. Dananjaya Mayadunne/James Machlachlan (FMU) 8-1
Match Notes: #21 Columbus State 5-6, 2-3 PBC; #27 Francis Marion 4-4, 1-3 PBC.
WOMEN: #8 Columbus State University 5, #19 Francis Marion University 4
Singles competition
1. Raluca Moldovan (CSU) def. Sarka Vitkova (FMU) 6-3, 6-2
2. Kamini Murugaboopathy (FMU) def. Agata Polcyn (CSU) 6-1, 7-6
3. Roxana Dondera (CSU) def. Magda Jezovicova (FMU) 6-4, 6-2
4. Daniela Castillo (CSU) def. Jenny Ludwig (FMU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Lindsey Groenewald (CSU) def. Elizabeth Lee (FMU) 4-6, 6-0, 7-5
6. Erin Reynolds (CSU) def. Maria Covell (FMU) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Jenny Ludwig/Sarka Vitkova (FMU) def. Raluca Moldovan/Roxana Dondera (CSU) 8-6
2. Kamini Murugaboopathy/Maria Covell (FMU) def. Daniela Castillo/Erin Reynolds (CSU) 8-2
3. Elizabeth Lee/Magda Jezovicova (FMU) def. Agata Polcyn/Lindsey Groenewald (CSU) 8-6
Match Notes: #8 Columbus State 7-4, 5-1 PBC; #19 Francis Marion 7-3, 2-2 PBC.
T-4:35
