FLORENCE, SC – The 15ht-ranked Francis Marion University women’s tennis team and the 25th-ranked men’s squad both remained undefeated with Peach Belt Conference wins over Lander University on Saturday (Feb. 23).
The Patriots women did not lose a set in blanking the Lady Bearcats 9-0. At 7-0, FMU is off to the best start in the program’s history, and the Patriots are 2-0 in the PBC. Lander falls to 3-3 and 2-3.
The Patriot men rallied from a 2-1 deficit by winning four of six singles matches and claimed a 5-4 victory over the eighth-ranked Lander squad. Francis Marion (6-0, 1-0) equals the second-best start in the men’s history while beating the Bearcats for only the second time since 1976. Lander falls to 5-2 and 4-1.
Both FMU squads will attempt to continue their hot starts with home PBC matches against USC Aiken on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Men’s Tennis Match Results
#25 Francis Marion University 5, #8 Lander University 4
Singles competition
1. #20 Franklyn Emmanuel (FMU) def. #42 Guilherme Fonseca (LU) 6-0, 6-1
2. Oshada Wijemanne (FMU) def. Henrik Willers (LU) 6-1, 6-4
3. Dilshod Sharifi (FMU) def. Damien Cordesse (LU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Andre Ivarsson (LU) def. Bastian Czwalinna (FMU) 6-3, 6-2
5. T.C. Valle (LU) def. Dananjaya Mayadunne (FMU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
6. Karl Rogers (FMU) def. Timur Kamilov (LU) 7-5, 2-6, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. #11 Franklyn Emmanuel/Oshada Wijemanne (FMU) def. #10 Andre Ivarsson/Henrik Willers (LU) 9-8
2. Guilherme Fonseca/Damien Cordesse(LU) def. Karl Rogers/Dananjaya Mayadunne (FMU) 8-4
3. T.C. Valle/Timur Kamilov (LU) def. Bastian Czwalinna/Dilshod Sharifi (FMU) 8-6
Match Notes: Lander University 5-2, 4-1 PBC; National ranking #8; Regional ranking #2
Francis Marion University 6-0, 1-0 PBC; National ranking #25; Regional ranking #7
Women’s Tennis Match Results
#15 Francis Marion University 9, Lander University 0
Singles competition
1. Tereza Sykorova (FMU) def. Fernanda Oliveira (LU) 6-0, 6-1
2. #24 Sarka Vitkova (FMU) def. Vuokko Vahatalo (LU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Jenny Ludwig (FMU) def. Anni Pajunen (LU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Klara Vitkova (FMU) def. Caitlin Fell (LU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Victoria Mishina (FMU) def. Ana Luiza Zaia (LU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Valeska Ibscher (FMU) def. Melanese Newbold (LU) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. #7 Sarka Vitkova/Jenny Ludwig (FMU) def. Fernanda Oliveira/Anni Pajunen (LU) 8-0
2. Klara Vitkova/Valeska Ibscher(FMU) def. Kristinanne Emanouil/Ana Luiza Zaia (LU) 8-0
3. Tereza Sykorova/Magda Jezovicova (FMU) def. Vuokko Vahatalo/Caitlin Fell (LU) 8-4
Match Notes: Lander University 3-3, 2-3; Regional ranking #10
Francis Marion University 7-0, 2-0; National ranking #15; Regional ranking #4
