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SAVANNAH, GA – The 29th-ranked and fourth-seeded Georgia College Bobcats edged tenth-ranked and fifth-seeded Francis Marion University 5-2, Monday afternoon (April 30) in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional #1 men's tennis tournament at Savannah's Bacon Park.
The Patriots conclude their season with a 10-7 record that included back-to-back losses to the Bobcats (12-8) – Monday and a week-and-a-half ago at the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.
Francis Marion suffered 8-4 and 8-1 losses at the No.2 and No.3 doubles positions before junior Alex Caspari and freshman Gavin Davison claimed the Patriots' first point with an 8-6 victory at the top doubles spot.
After Georgia College went ahead 3-1, senior Dirk Bair captured a 6-4, 6-3 win at No.6 singles to pull the Patriots to within 3-2. The Bobcats then earned straight-set wins at the second and third singles positions to close out the match. Francis Marion was leading at the No.4 singles spot when the match ended, while the No.1 singles match was in a third set.
FMU says good-bye to two seniors: Jack Bishop and Bair. The Patriots were making their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and their 16th in the past 18 seasons under head coach Garth Thomson.
Men's Tennis Match Results
NCAA II Southeast Regional semifinals
Apr 30, 2012 at Savannah, Ga.
#29 Georgia College 5, #10 Francis Marion University 2
Singles competition
1. #24 Jerome Leborgne (GCSU) vs. #13 Alex Caspari (FMUM) 6-4, 2-6, 3-2, unfinished
2. Johan Wadstein (GCSU) def. Jack Bishop (FMUM) 6-4, 6-4
3. Leo Bernardes (GCSU) def. Gavin Davison (FMUM) 6-4, 6-3
4. Alex Schubert (GCSU) vs. Jonathan Hain (FMUM) 0-6, 6-3, 2-3, unfinished
5. Wictor Andersson (GCSU) def. Tim Ruepke (FMUM) 6-3, 6-0
6. Dirk Bair (FMUM) def. Tyler Franks (GCSU) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. #5 Alex Caspari/Gavin Davison (FMUM) def. #9 Jerome Leborgne/Johan Wadstein (GCSU) 8-6
2. Wictor Andersson/Leo Bernardes (GCSU) def. Jack Bishop/Jonathan Hain (FMUM) 8-4
3. Tyler Franks/Alex Schubert (GCSU) def. Dirk Bair/Tim Ruepke (FMUM) 8-1
Match Notes: Francis Marion University 10-7; National ranking #10; Regional ranking #5
Georgia College 12-8; National ranking #29; Regional ranking #4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (5,6,2,3)
2012 NCAA DII Southeast Regional - Second Round
T-3:23 A-50
