FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University women's tennis team defeated Lander University 4-2 in the semifinals of the second-annual City of Florence College Tennis Invitational Tournament on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 9), but then later in the afternoon dropped a 4-0 decision to 23rd-ranked Wingate University in the championship match.

The eight-team, two-event was held at the Dr. Eddie Floyd/Florence Tennis Center.

Francis Marion (2-1) will play host to Erskine College on Saturday (Feb. 16) at 1 p.m. on the Kassab Courts.

In the victory over the Bearcats, sophomores Nikita Berger and Lesshika Vala each contributed two wins. 

In doubles play, after Lander claimed a 6-1 win at the top spot, sophomore Fredrika Regner and Berger earned a 6-1 victory at No.2 followed by a narrow 7-5 win by sophomore Magan Head and Vala at the No.3 position to award the doubles point to the Patriots.

In singles action, Vala's straight-sets 6-1, 6-1 win at the No.6 spot staked FMU to a 2-0 advantage.  Lander trimmed the margin to 2-1 with a victory at No.2, but Patriot sophomore Elisa Lang won 6-2, 6-4 at No.3.  The Bearcats took the No.1 singles point to pull within 3-2, but Berger captured a 6-3, 6-3 decision at No.5 for the clinching point.

In the title match against the unbeaten Bulldogs (4-0), FMU dropped matches at No.1 and 2 doubles to trail 1-0 heading into singles action.  Wingate earned the title with singles wins at positions No.5, No.6, and No.2. 

Women's Tennis Match Results
Feb 09, 2019 at Florence, SC  (Dr. Eddie Floyd/Florence Tennis Center)
Francis Marion University 4, Lander University 2
Singles competition
1. Eduarda Ferreira (LUW) def. Fredrika Regner (FMU_W) 6-3, 6-4
2. Isabella Schulz (LUW) def. Denise Hartmann (FMU_W) 6-1, 6-1
3. Elisa Lang (FMU_W) def. Nelli Lius (LUW) 6-2, 6-4
4. Eva Zannier (FMU_W) vs. Lindsey Wiggins (LUW) 7-6 (7-4), 3-0, unfinished
5. Nikita Berger (FMU_W) def. Manasi Ramadani (LUW) 6-3, 6-3
6. Lesshika Vala (FMU_W) def. Lucia Ric (LUW) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Isabella Schulz/Eduarda Ferreira (LUW) def. Denise Hartmann/Elisa Lang (FMU_W) 6-1
2. Fredrika Regner/Nikita Berger (FMU_W) def. Manasi Ramadani/Nelli Lius (LUW) 6-1
3. Magan Head/Lesshika Vala (FMU_W) def. Lucia Ric/Lindsey Wiggins (LUW) 7-5

Match Notes:  Lander University 1-3
Francis Marion University 2-0; Regional ranking #10
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,2,3,1,5)
City of Florence College Tennis Invitational (semifinals)

Women's Tennis Match Results
Feb 09, 2019 at Florence, SC  (Dr. Eddie Floyd/Florence Tennis Center)
#23 Wingate University 4, Francis Marion University 0
Singles competition
1. Fredrika Regner (FMU_W) vs. #14 Michela Verpelli (WU) 3-6, 3-5, unfinished
2. Riann Hsu (WU) def. Denise Hartmann (FMU_W) 6-4, 6-0
3. Elisa Lang (FMU_W) vs. Chyi Lee (WU) 5-7, 1-2, unfinished
4. Eva Zannier (FMU_W) vs. Claudia De Andreis (WU) 4-6, 1-2, unfinished
5. Camilla Ciacci (WU) def. Nikita Berger (FMU_W) 6-1, 6-1
6. Arianna Ceccaroni (WU) def. Lesshika Vala (FMU_W) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Michela Verpelli/Alisa Rudenko (WU) def. Denise Hartmann/Elisa Lang (FMU_W) 6-2
2. Claudia De Andreis/Chyi Lee (WU) def. Fredrika Regner/Nikita Berger (FMU_W) 6-0
3. Magan Head/Lesshika Vala (FMU_W) vs. Camilla Ciacci/Sydney Homan (WU) 2-4, unfinished

Match Notes:  Wingate University 4-0; National ranking #23; Regional ranking #3
Francis Marion University 2-1; Regional ranking #10
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (5,6,2)
City of Florence College Tennis Invitational (championship match)