HARTSVILLE, SC – The nationally ranked Francis Marion University men's and women's tennis teams opened their 2017 seasons with wins at local-rival Coker College on Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 1). The 18th-ranked Patriot women won 9-0, while the 27th-ranked FMU men earned an 8-1 victory.
In the women's match, Francis Marion won the doubles matches by scores of 8-4, 8-2, and 8-1 and followed with straight-sets wins at all six singles positions, including a 6-3, 6-1 victory by senior Samantha Koelliker at the No.1 spot.
FMU took a 2-1 lead in the men's match after doubles action, with the Patriots gaining wins at positions No.1 and 3. Each of the top three singles matches went to three sets, but senior Richard Ashforth and sophomores Tarass Thevenaz and Raul Madrid persevered by capturing the final set. The Patriots won in straight sets at the bottom three spots.
Both Francis Marion squads will play their home openers on Thursday, Jan. 9, against Barton College at 2 p.m. on the Kassab Courts.
Men's Tennis Match Results
Jan 30, 2017 at Hartsville, SC
#27 Francis Marion University 8, Coker 1
Singles competition
1. #18 Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. Mark Watt (COKERM) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
2. Tarass Thevenaz (FMU) def. Henrik Hellbe (COKERM) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
3. Raul Madrid (FMU) def. Hunter Horton (COKERM) 2-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2
4. J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) def. Dominic Allan (COKERM) 6-1, 6-1
5. Henri Broeseler (FMU) def. Walker Long (COKERM) 7-5, 6-3
6. Mauricio Guerrero (FMU) def. Felix Schweyer (COKERM) 6-0, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Richard Ashforth/Mauricio Guerrero (FMU) def. Henrik Hellbe/Hunter Horton (COKERM) 8-3
2. Mark Watt/Dominic Allan (COKERM) def. Raul Madrid/J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) 8-6
3. Tarass Thevenaz/Matheo Espinoza (FMU) def. Walker Long/Felix Schweyer (COKERM) 8-2
Match Notes: Francis Marion University 1-0; National ranking #27; Regional ranking #6
Coker 0-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,2,3,4,6,5)
Women's Tennis Match Results
Jan 30, 2017 at Hartsville, SC
#18 Francis Marion University 9, Coker 0
Singles competition
1. Samantha Koelliker (FMU_W) def. Jennifer Mezei (COKERW) 6-3, 6-1
2. Marie Krueger (FMU_W) def. Jennifer Ruetten (COKERW) 6-1, 6-0
3. Eva Lieben (FMU_W) def. Julia Sorrells (COKERW) 6-2, 6-1
4. Sofia Henning (FMU_W) def. Suzanna Mickey (COKERW) 6-1, 6-2
5. Anilu Barraza Araiza (FMU_W) def. Jenna Gainey (COKERW) 6-3, 6-2
6. Anna Wintrich (FMU_W) def. Sarah Elliott (COKERW) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #21 Samantha Koelliker/Marie Krueger (FMU_W) def. Jennifer Mezei/Jennifer Ruetten (COKERW) 8-4
2. Eva Lieben/Anna Wintrich (FMU_W) def. Sarah Elliott/Suzanna Mickey (COKERW) 8-2
3. Sofia Henning/Anilu Barraza Araiza (FMU_W) def. Julia Sorrells/Jenna Gainey (COKERW) 8-1
Match Notes: Francis Marion University 1-0; National ranking #18; Regional ranking #5
Coker 0-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (2,3,1,4,5,6)
