DAHLONEGA, GA – The nationally ranked Francis Marion University men's and women's tennis teams dropped a pair of Peach Belt Conference matches to the University of North Georgia on Saturday (March 4). The 18th-ranked FMU women lost to the 34th-ranked Nighthawks 5-4, while the 27th-ranked Patriot men dropped an 8-1 decision to the 18th-ranked UNG men.
Both Francis Marion tennis squads will conclude their weekend road trip on Sunday with 11 a.m. matches at Young Harris College.
The FMU women are now 5-5 overall and 1-3 in the Peach Belt, while the Patriot men are 4-5 and 0-4.
In the women's match, North Georgia took a 3-0 advantage after doubles play, winning the matches by scores of 8-4, 8-4, and 8-6.
The Patriots rallied by winning four of six singles matches, but were unable to overcome the large deficit. FMU got singles victories from senior Samantha Koelliker at No.1 (in a marathon three-set battle), junior Sofia Henning at No.3, freshman Theresa Hammerschlag at No.5, and sophomore Anilu Barraza Araiza at No.6.
Francis Marion's lone point in the men's match came from senior Richard Ashforth, ranked 18th nationally in singles, who defeated seventh-ranked Niklas Zielen at the No.1 position by a 5-7, 6-3, 10-5 score. Altogether, four of the six singles contests went to a tie-breaker after the players split the first two sets.
Women's Tennis Match Results
Mar 04, 2017 at Dahlonega, Ga. (UNG Tennis Complex @ Yahoola Creek Park)
#34 University of North Georgia 5, #18 Francis Marion University 4
Singles competition
1. Samantha Koelliker (FMU_W) def. Kathrin Waidner (UNGW) 6-0, 6-7 (9-7), 7-6 (7-3)
2. Felicia Baratta (UNGW) def. Marie Krueger (FMU_W) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
3. Sofia Henning (FMU_W) def. Karina Gurgenyan (UNGW) 7-5, 6-4
4. Holly Bennett (UNGW) def. Anna Wintrich (FMU_W) 6-1, 6-2
5. Theresa Hammerschlag (FMU_W) def. Lexa Loden (UNGW) 6-0, 6-2
6. Anilu Barraza Araiza (FMU_W) def. Laura Van Der Hage (UNGW) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Kathrin Waidner/Felicia Baratta (UNGW) def. #21 Samantha Koelliker/Marie Krueger (FMU_W) 8-4
2. Holly Bennett/Emma Etelalahti (UNGW) def. Sofia Henning/Anilu Barraza Araiza (FMU_W) 8-4
3. Karina Gurgenyan/Lexa Loden (UNGW) def. Anna Wintrich/Magan Head (FMU_W) 8-6
Match Notes: Francis Marion University 5-5, 1-3 PBC; National ranking #18; Regional ranking #5
University of North Georgia 8-1, 3-1 PBC; National ranking #34; Regional ranking #7
Men's Tennis Match Results
Mar 04, 2017 at Dahlonega, Ga. (UNG Tennis Complex @ Yahoola Creek Park)
#18 University of North Georgia 8, #27 Francis Marion University 1
Singles competition
1. #18 Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. #7 Niklas Zielen (UNGM) 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5)
2. #16 Alexander Reinauer (UNGM) def. J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (10-8)
3. Andre Canino (UNGM) def. Harry Wells (FMU) 6-0, 6-2
4. Hugues Renaud (UNGM) def. Tarass Thevenaz (FMU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Mark Laishley (UNGM) def. Henri Broeseler (FMU) 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
6. Lukas Moritzen (UNGM) def. Raul Madrid (FMU) 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5)
Doubles competition
1. #18 Niklas Zielen/Alexander Reinauer (UNGM) def. Richard Ashforth/Tarass Thevenaz (FMU) 8-3
2. Lukas Moritzen/Andre Canino (UNGM) def. Raul Madrid/J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) 8-4
3. Hugues Renaud/Jared Bones (UNGM) def. Matheo Espinoza/Mauricio Guerrero (FMU) 8-5
Match Notes: Francis Marion University 4-5, 0-4 PBC; National ranking #27; Regional ranking #6
University of North Georgia 8-0, 4-0 PBC; National ranking #18; Regional ranking #5
