FLORENCE, SC – The nationally ranked Francis Marion University men's and women's tennis teams overcame blustery conditions on Sunday (March 30) to defeat the Georgia Southwestern State University Hurricanes by scores of 8-1 and 6-3.
The 29th-ranked FMU men improve to 6-3 overall and 3-2 in the PBC, while the 41st-ranked Patriot women move to 9-3 and 5-2. Both Francis Marion squads will play at USC Aiken on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m., before returning home to host two matches next weekend.
In the men's contest, FMU swept all three doubles matches to take a comfortable 3-0 advantage. Among the singles wins for the Patriots, freshman Richard Ashforth remained unbeaten with a 6-2, 6-3 victory at the No.2 slot. Ashforth, ranked 27th nationally, is 8-0 in singles action this season.
In the women's match, the Patriots captured two of three doubles matches and then won straight-set decisions at the top four singles spots. Freshman Samantha Koelliker did not lose a game while winning 6-0, 6-0 at No1 singles and improves to 11-1 this season. Sophomore Nora Westbye won 6-4, 6-4 at No.3 and has won 22 of her past 23 decisions dating back to last season.
Men's Tennis Match Results
Mar 30, 2014 at Florence, SC
#29 Francis Marion University 8, Georgia Southwestern 1
Singles competition
1. Gavin Davison (FMU) def. Valentin Demande (GSW) 6-3, 6-1
2. #27 Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. Jake Koonce (GSW) 6-2, 6-3
3. Abel Acuna (GSW) def. Tim Ruepke (FMU) 6-4, 6-2
4. Marius Wahlier (FMU) def. Stephen Moore (GSW) 7-5, 6-0
5. Eimon Heywood (FMU) def. Oliver Marshall (GSW) 6-0, 4-6, 10-4
6. J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) def. Darren Kenny (GSW) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Gavin Davison/Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. Valentin Demande/Jake Koonce (GSW) 8-4
2. Tim Ruepke/Marius Wahlier (FMU) def. Stephen Moore/Oliver Marshall (GSW) 8-2
3. Luke Bateup/J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) def. Darren Kenny/Abel Acuna (GSW) 8-6
Match Notes: Georgia Southwestern 3-8, 0-6
Francis Marion University 6-3, 3-2 PBC; National ranking #29; Regional ranking #8
Women's Tennis Match Results
Mar 30, 2014 at Florence, SC
#41 Francis Marion University 6, Georgia Southwestern 3
Singles competition
1. Samantha Koelliker (FMUW) def. Carly Cangelosi (GSW) 6-0, 6-0
2. Julia Graf (FMUW) def. Kalie Douberly (GSW) 6-4, 6-1
3. Nora Westbye (FMUW) def. Victoria Ondo (GSW) 6-4, 6-4
4. Kimberley Hurter (FMUW) def. Ginny Jones (GSW) 6-0, 6-1
5. Anna Kate Shaw (GSW) def. Veronika Viegas (FMUW) 6-3, 6-3
6. Lauren Resnick (GSW) def. Savanna Summers (FMUW) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. #16 Julia Graf/Nora Westbye (FMUW) def. Carly Cangelosi/Victoria Ondo (GSW) 8-5
2. Samantha Koelliker/Kimberley Hurter (FMUW) def. Sydnee Smith/Ginny Jones (GSW) 8-2
3. Kalie Douberly/Anna Kate Shaw (GSW) def. Savanna Summers/Veronika Viegas (FMUW) 8-0
Match Notes: Georgia Southwestern 5-8, 1-6 PBC
Francis Marion University 9-3, 5-2 PBC; National ranking #41; Regional ranking #7
