GREENWOOD, SC – Sophomore Lesshika Vala contributed two early points that sparked Francis Marion University to a 5-2 road victory over Lander University, Saturday afternoon (April 6) in Peach Belt Conference women's tennis action.  The 27th-ranked Francis Marion men's squad dropped a 6-1 decision to No.7 Lander, also on Saturday.

The Patriot women improve to 13-6 overall and 3-4 in the PBC, while the FMU men drop to 9-8 and 1-6.  Both Francis Marion squads will play at nationally ranked Columbus State University on Saturday (April 13) at 11 a.m.

Vala and her doubles partner, junior Magan Head, produced a 7-5 win at the No.2 position as FMU swept all three doubles contests.  Sophomores Fredrika Regner and Elisa Lang were victorious 7-6 at the No.1 spot and freshmen Eva Zannier and Denise Hartmann won 6-2 at the No.3 position.

Vala quickly dispatched her singles opponent 6-0, 6-3 at the No.6 position and sophomore Nikita Berger captured a 6-2, 6-0 decision at No.5 to give Francis Marion a 3-0 advantage.

After Lander won at No.1 singles, Lang clinched the match with a 6-3, 7-6 victory at No.3.  Zannier accounted for the other FMU point with a 6-7, 6-2, 1-0 (10-7) win at the No.4 singles spot.

In the men's match, the Bearcats swept all three doubles matches by scores of 6-3, 6-2, and 6-2.

Sophomore Charles Hutchings provided FMU's lone point with a 1-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-6) win at No.6 singles.

Women's Tennis Match Results
Apr 06, 2019 at Greenwood, S.C.  (Joe Cabri Tennis Center)
Francis Marion University 5, Lander 2
Singles competition
1. Eduarda Ferreira (LUW) def. Denise Hartmann (FMU_W) 6-4, 7-6
2. Isabella Schulz (LUW) def. Fredrika Regner (FMU_W) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
3. Elisa Lang (FMU_W) def. Nelli Lius (LUW) 6-3, 7-6
4. Eva Zannier (FMU_W) def. Lindsey Wiggins (LUW) 6-7, 6-2, 1-0 (10-7)
5. Nikita Berger (FMU_W) def. Lucia Ric (LUW) 6-2, 6-0
6. Lesshika Vala (FMU_W) def. Manasi Ramadani (LUW) 6-0, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Fredrika Regner/Elisa Lang (FMU_W) def. Eduarda Ferreira/Isabella Schulz (LUW) 7-6
2. Magan Head/Lesshika Vala (FMU_W) def. Lindsey Wiggins/Nelli Lius (LUW) 7-5
3. Eva Zannier/Denise Hartmann (FMU_W) def. Manasi Ramadani/Lucia Ric (LUW) 6-2

Match Notes:
Francis Marion University 13-6, 3-4 PBC
Lander 7-13, 1-6 PBC
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,5,1,3,2,4)

Men's Tennis Match Results
Apr 06, 2019 at Greenwood, S.C. (Joe Cabri Tennis Center)
#7 Lander 6, #27 Francis Marion University 1
Singles competition
1. #39 Eirik Groner (LU) def. Matt Astell (FMU) 6-3, 6-1
2. Axel Cronje (LU) def. Matheo Espinoza (FMU) 6-3, 7-6
3. #67 Ozan Cildir (LU) def. Mauricio Guerrero (FMU) 6-4, 6-3
4. Thomas De Negri (LU) def. Brandon Sweeney (FMU) 6-2, 6-3
5. Aly Zaghloul (LU) def. Henri Broeseler (FMU) 6-3, 6-3
6. Charles Hutchings (FMU) def. Tommaso Rossin (LU) 1-6, 7-6, 1-0 (10-6)
Doubles competition
1. Axel Cronje/Adam Elliget (LU) def. #13 W. Anth-Forsberg/Charles Hutchings (FMU) 6-3
2. #41 Ozan Cildir/Omar El-Moslemany (LU) def. Matheo Espinoza/Mauricio Guerrero (FMU) 6-2
3. Eirik Groner/Philippe Courteau (LU) def. Brandon Sweeney/Matt Astell (FMU) 6-2
 
Match Notes:  Francis Marion University 9-8, 1-6 PBC; National ranking #27
Lander 15-3, 6-1 PBC; National ranking #7
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,1,3,5,2,6)