FLORENCE, SC – Both the Francis Marion University men's and women's tennis teams captured 8-1 victories over local-rival Coker College, Thursday afternoon (Feb. 25) in non-conference action.

The 41st-ranked Patriot women improve to 6-2 with their third straight win, while the FMU men up their mark to 5-3.  Both squads will play two Peach Belt Conference matches on the road this weekend: Saturday at Lander University at noon and Sunday at USC Aiken at 10:30 a.m.

The FMU women breezed through doubles play losing only six combined games.  In singles action, the Patriots lost only a three-set decision at the No.1 position while winning each of the other five matches in straight sets.

The men's doubles matches proved to be closer, although Francis Marion still claimed all three points by scores of 8-5, 8-6, and 8-4.  In singles play, FMU junior Richard Ashforth won a tightly-contested match at the No.1 spot 7-5, 7-6 (8-6).  Coker's lone point came at No.3 singles, while the Patriots won the other matches in straight sets.

Women's Tennis Match Results
Feb 25, 2016 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
#41 Francis Marion University 8, Coker College 1
Singles competition
1. Jennifer Mezei (COKERWT) def. Samantha Koelliker (FMU_W) 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
2. Marie Krueger (FMU_W) def. Bailey Palmer (COKERWT) 6-2, 6-4
3. Eva Lieben (FMU_W) def. Ragan Palmer (COKERWT) 6-2, 7-5
4. Sofia Henning (FMU_W) def. Jessi Campos (COKERWT) 6-1, 6-2
5. Anna Wintrich (FMU_W) def. Suzanna Mickey (COKERWT) 6-1, 6-3
6. Kristel Kalm (FMU_W) def. Sarah Elliott (COKERWT) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Samantha Koelliker/Marie Krueger (FMU_W) def. Jennifer Mezei/Bailey Palmer (COKERWT) 8-3
2. Mona Piller/Anilu Barraza Araiza (FMU_W) def. Sarah Elliott/Jessi Campos (COKERWT) 8-2
3. Eva Lieben/Anna Wintrich (FMU_W) def. Ragan Palmer/Suzanna Mickey (COKERWT) 8-1

Match Notes:  Coker College 1-5
Francis Marion University 6-2; National ranking #41
Order of finish: Doubles (); Singles (2,3,4,1,6,5)
T-3:50 A-157

Men's Tennis Match Results
Feb 25, 2016 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
Francis Marion University 8, Coker College 1
Singles competition
1. #7 Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. William Marrafao (COKERMT) 7-5, 7-6 (8-6)
2. Philipp Sluga (FMU) def. Simon Berbom (COKERMT) 6-1, 6-1
3. Tom Sizeland (COKERMT) def. Robin Hoek (FMU) 6-2, 6-4
4. J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) def. Mark Watt (COKERMT) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
5. Tarass Thevenaz (FMU) def. Henrik Hellbe (COKERMT) 6-4, 6-4
6. Raul Madrid (FMU) def. Felix Schweyer (COKERMT) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Richard Ashforth/Robin Hoek (FMU) def. Simon Berbom/Henrik Hellbe (COKERMT) 8-5
2. J. Roettlingsberger/Raul Madrid (FMU) def. Mark Watt/Tom Sizeland (COKERMT) 8-6
3. Philipp Sluga/Tarass Thevenaz (FMU) def. William Marrafao/Felix Schweyer (COKERMT) 8-4

Match Notes: Coker College 1-5
Francis Marion University 5-3
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,3,1,4,5,6)
T-3:55 A-157