FMU Tennis

Michael G. Hawkins

#5 FMU Men down Pfeiffer 8-1

FLORENCE, SC – The fifth-ranked Francis Marion University men’s tennis team took a 3-0 lead after doubles play and cruised to an 8-1 non-conference win over Pfeiffer University, Friday afternoon (Feb. 13) in the Patriots’ home opener.

Francis Marion (2-0) will open Peach Belt Conference play on Sunday when the Patriots host North Georgia College & State University at 11 a.m. on the Kassab Courts. Pfeiffer (1-2) will host Lenoir-Rhyne College on Feb. 20 at 2:30 p.m.

FMU’s lone defeat was in three sets at No. 1 singles, while the other five singles players did not drop a set.


Men’s Tennis ; Feb 13, 2009 at Florence, SC
#5 Francis Marion University 8, Pfeiffer University 1
Singles competition
1. Philip Lawson (PFEIF) def. Karl Rogers (FMU) 6-7, 6-1, 6-2
2. Mario Kieck (FMU) def. Kaushik (PFEIF) 6-3, 6-2
3. Bastian Czwalinna (FMU) def. Johan de Wit (PFEIF) 6-1, 6-2
4. Michael Hafke (FMU) def. A.J. Flores (PFEIF) 6-3, 6-1
5. Dirk Bair (FMU) def. Frank Pouchet (PFEIF) 6-1, 6-1
6. Jack Bishop (FMU) def. Cody Simpson (PFEIF) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Mario Kieck/Dirk Bair (FMU) def. Johan de Wit/Philip Lawson (PFEIF) 8-3
2. Matthew Keth/Karl Rogers (FMU) def. A.J. Flores/Kaushik (PFEIF) 9-8 (7-2)
3. Jack Bishop/Noah van Moerkerken (FMU) def. Cody Simpson/Frank Pouchet (PFEIF) 8-1

Match Notes: Pfeiffer 1-2; Francis Marion 2-0; National ranking #5; Regional ranking #2 ; T-3:30 A-35


#8 Patriot Women fall to PC 5-4

FLORENCE, SC – The eighth-ranked Francis Marion University women’s tennis team lost two of three doubles matches and then split the six singles matches to fall 5-4 to Division I Presbyterian College, Friday afternoon (Feb. 13) in FMU’s 2009 home opener.

The loss evens the Patriots’ record at 1-1 and snaps a 12-match home-court winning streak. FMU will look to start another streak on Saturday when the Patriots entertain Brenau University at 11 a.m.

Presbyterian (2-3) will play at UNC Wilmington on Saturday at 11 a.m.

FMU’s nationally ranked doubles team of Tereza Sykorova and Valeska Ibscher won easily 8-1 at the No.1 spot, and the Patriots’ top three singles players all won in straight sets. However, Presbyterian claimed the No. 5 and No.6 singles matches in straight sets and PC’s Cara Carusa defeated Sabina Baberadova in three sets.


Women’s Tennis ; Feb 13, 2009 at Florence, SC
Presbyterian College 5, #8 Francis Marion University 4
Singles competition
1. #9 Tereza Sykorova (FMU) def. DIMINICH, Abby (PC) 6-1, 6-0
2. Valeska Ibscher (FMU) def. ISBELL, Heather (PC) 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
3. Jitka Gavdunova (FMU) def. DAVIS, Megan (PC) 6-3, 6-1
4. CARUSO, Cara (PC) def. Sabina Baberadova (FMU) 6-3, 6-7 (1-7), 6-2
5. OELKE, Paige (PC) def. Saskia Ludwig (FMU) 6-0, 7-6
6. WALDRON, Virginia (PC) def. Katie Cracraft (FMU) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. #8 Valeska Ibscher/Tereza Sykorova (FMU) def. OELKE, Paige/WALDRON, Virginia (PC) 8-1
2. DAVIS, Megan/DIMINICH, Abby (PC) def. Sabina Baberadova/Jitka Gavdunova (FMU) 9-7
3. ISBELL, Heather/CARUSO, Cara (PC) def. Saskia Ludwig/Katie Cracraft (FMU) 8-1

Match Notes:
Presbyterian College 2-3 ; Francis Marion University 1-1; National ranking #8; Regional ranking #3
PC is a member of the NCAA I Big South Conference ; FMU is a member of the NCAA II Peach Belt Conference ; FMU has 12-match home court winning streak snapped ; T-4:00 A-35