Seventeenth-ranked Tusculum University won the final four singles matches to claim a 5-2 non-conference victory over Francis Marion University, Thursday afternoon (March 12) in women's tennis action.

Francis Marion (7-4) will open Peach Belt Conference play on March 21 with a 9 a.m. match at 12th-ranked Flagler College.

Juniors Elisa Lang and Fredrika Regner won at No.1 doubles, but Tusculum captured each of the other doubles matches in tie-breakers, winning 7-6 (7-5) at No.2 and 7-6 (8-6) at No.3 to earn the doubles point.

In singles action, Regner won at the No.2 spot by a 6-2, 6-0 and freshman Hermon Mikael earned a 6-4, 6-1 win at No.3 to give FMU a 2-1 edge.  However, the Pioneers (6-3) won at No.1, 4, 5, and 6 to clinch the match.

Francis Marion is ranked ninth in the Southeast Region.

Women's Tennis
Mar 12, 2020 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
#17 Tusculum University 5, Francis Marion University 2
Singles competition
1. Julia Lopez (TU) def. Eva Zannier (FMU_W) 7-5, 6-2
2. Fredrika Regner (FMU_W) def. Emilie Hansen (TU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Hermon Mikael (FMU_W) def. Aizat Zholdakayeva (TU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Sarah Primik (TU) def. Elisa Lang (FMU_W) 6-1, 6-2
5. Africa Mota (TU) def. Magan Head (FMU_W) 6-2, 7-5
6. Martina Marras (TU) def. Lesshika Vala (FMU_W) 6-1, 1-6, 1-0 (10-6)
Doubles competition
1. Elisa Lang/Fredrika Regner (FMU_W) def. Emilie Hansen/Julia Lopez (TU) 6-3
2. Africa Mota/Aizat Zholdakayeva (TU) def. Magan Head/Eva Zannier (FMU_W) 7-6 (7-5)
3. Sarah Primik/Amber Lackey (TU) def. Lesshika Vala/Hermon Mikael (FMU_W) 7-6 (8-6)

Match Notes: Tusculum University 6-3; National ranking #17; Regional ranking #5 Francis Marion University 7-4; Regional ranking #9
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,3,5,1,4,6)