FLORENCE, SC – In a battle of four nationally ranked squads, Francis Marion University came away victorious twice in non-conference tennis action on Tuesday afternoon (March 5) at the Kassab Courts.  The 11th-ranked FMU women improved to 9-1 with a 6-3 win over 35th-ranked Lewis, while 27th-ranked Patriot men defeated the 38th-ranked Flyers 7-2.

The Patriot men are now 6-3.  Both Francis Marion squads will return to action on Wednesday as they play host to North Greenville University at 2:30 p.m. 

Lewis, located in Romeoville, Ill., is in the midst of a three-match Southern swing.  Both Flyer squads drop to 2-1.

The Francis Marion women took a 2-1 lead after doubles play and then earned straight-set victories at singles positions No.3 through 6.

The FMU men rallied from behind at No.1 and No.3 doubles to also take an early 2-1 advantage.  The Patriots then claimed five of six singles matches, all in straight sets.

Men's Tennis Match Results
Mar 05, 2013 at Florence, SC

#27 Francis Marion University 7, #38 Lewis University 2

Singles competition
1. #10 Alex Caspari (FMU) def. Aunapuu, Erik (LEWIS) 6-2, 7-5
2. Levandi, Armand (LEWIS) def. Arnaud Holl (FMU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Tim Ruepke (FMU) def. Etienne, Florian (LEWIS) 6-4, 6-0
4. Eimon Heywood (FMU) def. Hardacre, Jesse (LEWIS) 6-2, 6-0
5. Marius Wahlier (FMU) def. Richert, John (LEWIS) 6-1, 6-2
6. Luke Bateup (FMU) def. Kuenzi, Philip (LEWIS) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Alex Caspari/Tim Ruepke (FMU) def. Aunapuu, Erik/Levandi, Armand (LEWIS) 9-8 (7-4)
2. Hardacre, Jesse/Richert, John (LEWIS) def. Marius Wahlier/Luke Bateup (FMU) 8-5
3. Arnaud Holl/Eimon Heywood (FMU) def. Etienne, Florian/Kuenzi, Philip (LEWIS) 8-5

Match Notes:
Lewis University 2-1; National ranking #38; Regional ranking #4
Francis Marion University 6-3; National ranking #27; Regional ranking #8
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles ()
T-3:35  A-27 

Women's Tennis Match Results
Mar 05, 2013 at Florence, SC

#11 Francis Marion University 6, #35 Lewis University 3

Singles competition
1. #27 Lanstiak, Zsofia (LEWIS) def. #25 Mona Blauen (FMU_W) 7-6 (7-4), 7-5
2. Kranczicki, Zsofia (LEWIS) def. Tereza Baranova (FMU_W) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
3. Julia Graf (FMU_W) def. Nguyen, Megan (LEWIS) 6-2, 6-1
4. Kimberley Hurter (FMU_W) def. Wetmore, Jill (LEWIS) 6-3, 7-5
5. Lena Specht (FMU_W) def. Markgraf, Brianna (LEWIS) 6-1, 6-0
6. Nora Westbye (FMU_W) def. Mills, Kendra (LEWIS) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. #4 Lanstiak, Zsofia/Kranczicki, Zsofia (LEWIS) def. #17 Mona Blauen/Julia Graf (FMU_W) 8-2
2. Tereza Baranova/Nora Westbye (FMU_W) def. Nguyen, Megan/Markgraf, Brianna (LEWIS) 8-2
3. Lena Specht/Kimberley Hurter (FMU_W) def. Wetmore, Jill/Mills, Kendra (LEWIS) 8-1

Match Notes:
Lewis University 2-1; National ranking #35; Regional ranking #3
Francis Marion University 9-1; National ranking #11; Regional ranking #3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles ()
T-4:10  A-27