FLORENCE, SC – The 17th-ranked Francis Marion University men's tennis team rallied for a dramatic 5-4 victory over 42nd-ranked Wingate University, Sunday afternoon (Feb. 16) in non-conference action. However, the 12th-ranked FMU women's team was upset by the 50th-ranked Bulldog women's squad 6-3.
The Francis Marion men improve to 2-1, while the Patriot women drop to 2-1. Both FMU squads will play host to Erskine College on Thursday (Feb. 20) at 2:30 p.m. on the Kassab Courts.
The Patriot men trailed 2-1 after doubles play, but rallied in the singles action. FMU picked up wins at the No. 1, No. 3, No. 5, and No. 6 positions. Freshman Richard Ashforth claimed a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4 tiebreaker) victory at the No.6 singles spot to give Francis Marion the deciding point.
Wingate (3-2) won all three of the women's doubles matches by identical 8-6 scores. FMU recovered to earn singles wins at the top three slots, but the Bulldogs sealed the upset win with victories at the No.5 and 6 positions.
Patriot sophomore Nora Westbye gained a straight-sets win (6-4, 6-3) at No.3 singles to run her winning streak to 14 matches in a row.
Men's Tennis Match Results
Feb 16, 2014 at Florence, SC
#17 Francis Marion University 5, #42 Wingate University 4
Singles competition
1. Gavin Davison (FMU) def. Neal Towlson (WU) 7-5, 6-3
2. Sebastian Hall (WU) def. Tim Ruepke (FMU) 4-6, 6-0, 6-3
3. Eimon Heywood (FMU) def. Fillippo Pezzoli (WU) 6-2, 6-0
4. Connor Kudrick (WU) def. Marius Wahlier (FMU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
5. J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) def. Ryan Forbes (WU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. Tyler Schofer (WU) 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
Doubles competition
1. Neal Towlson/Sebastian Hall (WU) def. Marius Wahlier/Tim Ruepke (FMU) 8-6
2. Gavin Davison/Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. Ryan Forbes/Connor Kudrick (WU) 8-3
3. Fillippo Pezzoli/Tyler Schofer (WU) def. J. Roettlingsberger/Eimon Heywood (FMU) 8-6
Match Notes: Wingate University 2-3; National ranking #42
Francis Marion University 2-1; National ranking #17; Regional ranking #5
T-4:40 A-35
Women's Tennis Match Results
Feb 16, 2014 at Florence, SC
#50 Wingate University 6, #12 Francis Marion University 3
Singles competition
1. Julia Graf (FMUW) def. Ali Evers (WU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2
2. Samantha Kolliker (FMUW) def. Caroline Holland (WU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Nora Westbye (FMUW) def. Becca Thomas (WU) 6-4, 6-3
4. Layla Tanik (WU) def. Kimberley Hurter (FMUW) 6-3, 6-1
5. Morgan Winston (WU) def. Natalie Stirewalt (FMUW) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
6. Tiffany Williams (WU) def. Veronika Viegas (FMUW) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Ali Evers/Becca Thomas (WU) def. #16 Julia Graf/Nora Westbye (FMUW) 8-6
2. Tiffany Williams/Layla Tanik (WU) def. Natalie Stirewalt/Samantha Kolliker (FMUW) 8-6
3. Morgan Winston/Caroline Holland (WU) def. Caitlin Siney/Kimberley Hurter (FMUW) 8-6
Match Notes: Wingate University 3-2; National ranking #50; Regional ranking #9
Francis Marion University 2-1; National ranking #12; Regional ranking #3
T-5:15 A-35
