FLORENCE, SC – Sisters Julia and Christina Graf registered come-from-behind singles wins to help 30th-ranked Francis Marion University edge Pfeiffer University 5-4, Tuesday afternoon (March 17) in non-conference women's tennis action. The 35th-ranked FMU men also claimed a 6-3 victory over Pfeiffer.
The FMU women improve to 5-3, while Pfeiffer drops to 7-3. The Patriot men up their record to 5-4, while Pfeiffer drops to 8-3.
The Patriot women won two of the three doubles matches – at positions No.1 and No.3. Needing three singles wins to clinch the match, FMU received a 6-1, 6-3 win from junior Mona Piller at the No.5 spot before the Grafs back won in come-from-behind fashion.
Julia lost her opening set at the No.2 position 6-1 and trailed 4-1 in a second-set tiebreaker before rallying to win and square the match. She then won the deciding third set 6-2. At the No.4 slot, Christina trailed 3-6, 1-4, but rallied to win five straight games and the second set 6-4. She went on to win the third set 6-3.
The Francis Marion men also led 2-1 after doubles play. Nationally ranked sophomore Richard Ashforth quickly captured a 6-0, 6-0 win at No.1 singles. Senior Marius Wahlier picked up a default win at No.4 singles before senior Gavin Davison earned the clinching point with a 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4) win at No.3 singles.
The Patriot women will return to Peach Belt Conference play on Saturday at 10 a.m. with a road match at UNC Pembroke. Both FMU squads will play host to Flagler College on Sunday at 10 a.m. on the Kassab Courts.
Women's Tennis Match Results
Mar 17, 2015 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
#30 Francis Marion University 5, Pfeiffer University 4
Singles competition
1. #38 Olivia Nelms (PUW) def. #37 Samantha Koelliker (FMU_W) 7-5, 7-5
2. Julia Graf (FMU_W) def. Taylor Lindsay (PUW) 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
3. Valeria Mendoza (PUW) def. Sofia Henning (FMU_W) 6-3, 6-4
4. Christina Graf (FMU_W) def. Hannah Watson (PUW) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Mona Piller (FMU_W) def. Mylene Petitpas (PUW) 6-1, 6-3
6. N. Perez-Principal (PUW) def. M. Taylor Whisnant (FMU_W) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Samantha Koelliker/Julia Graf (FMU_W) def. Olivia Nelms/Hannah Watson (PUW) 8-5
2. Valeria Mendoza/Taylor Lindsay (PUW) def. Sofia Henning/M. Taylor Whisnant (FMU_W) 8-2
3. Mona Piller/Christina Graf (FMU_W) def. Mylene Petitpas/Mara Hofstetter (PUW) 8-3
Match Notes:
Pfeiffer University 7-3
Francis Marion University 5-3; National ranking #30; Regional ranking #6
Men's Tennis Match Results
Mar 17, 2015 at Florence, SC (Kassab Court)
#35 Francis Marion University 6, Pfeiffer University 3
Singles competition
1. #17 Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. Oscar Van Koch (PUM) 6-0, 6-0
2. Axel Woerner (PUM) def. J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7)
3. Gavin Davison (FMU) def. Bjorn Barwinski (PUM) 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4)
4. Marius Wahlier (FMU) def. Anthony Brennan (PUM) 5-2, default
5. Sebastian Wernecke (PUM) def. Dion Nijboer (FMU) 6-3, 6-2
6. Krisztian Mago (FMU) def. David Weir (PUM) 6-2, 3-6, 10-8
Doubles competition
1. Richard Ashforth/J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) def. Oscar Van Koch/Bjorn Barwinski (PUM) 8-5
2. Axel Woerner/Sebastian Wernecke (PUM) def. Patrick Hensley/Dion Nijboer (FMU) 9-7
3. Gavin Davison/Marius Wahlier (FMU) def. Orlando Castillo/David Weir (PUM) 8-4
Match Notes:
Pfeiffer University 8-3
Francis Marion University 5-4; National ranking #35; Regional ranking #10
