FLORENCE, SC – Despite sweeping all three doubles matches to take an early 1-0 advantage, Francis Marion University fell to 47th-ranked Belmont Abbey College 5-2, Friday afternoon (Mar. 24) in Conference Carolinas women's tennis action.
 
Francis Marion (5-7, 0-3) will look to rebound on Saturday when the Patriots host Converse University at noon on the Kassab Courts.
 
In doubles play, freshman Chelsea Seidewitz and junior Julie Martincova won 6-3 at the No.1 position and sophomore Sophia Hansen and junior Julia Pinto were victorious 6-4 at the No.3 spot.  Senior Gabriel Karatantcheva and sophomore Kim Venghaus closed out the sweep with a come-from-behind 7-6 (7-4) win at No.2 doubles.
 
As singles play commenced, Karatantcheva quickly upped the margin to 2-0 as her opponent retired at the No.1 position with the FMU senior ahead 4-1 in the opening set.
 
However, the Crusaders (11-5, 2-0) would take the remaining five singles contests, including a marathon three-set decision at the No.2 rung.
 
 
Women's Tennis Match Results
03/24/2023 at Florence, SC  (Kassab Courts)
#47 Belmont Abbey College 5, Francis Marion University 2
Singles competition
1. G. Karatantcheva (FMU_W) def. Kayla Vaughan (BAC) 4-1, retired
2. Frankee Hendricks (BAC) def. Chelsea Seidewitz (FMU_W) 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (9-7)
3. Elizabeth Vollmin (BAC) def. Julie Martincova (FMU_W) 6-2, 6-2
4. Alexis Burkhalter (BAC) def. Sophia Hansen (FMU_W) 6-4, 6-4
5. Elliott Peterson (BAC) def. Julia Pinto (FMU_W) 6-0, 6-3
6. Lily Aranyos (BAC) def. Camryn Cassetori (FMU_W) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Chelsea Seidewitz/Julie Martincova (FMU_W) def. Kaitlin Nguyen/Elizabeth Vollmin (BAC) 6-3
2. G. Karatantcheva/Kim Venghaus (FMU_W) def. Kayla Vaughan/Lily Aranyos (BAC) 7-6 (7-4)
3. Sophia Hansen/Julia Pinto (FMU_W) def. Paola Socarras/Daniella Galeano (BAC) 6-4
 
Match Notes:  Belmont Abbey College 11-5 , 2-0; National ranking #47
Francis Marion University 5-7 , 0-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,3,5,4,6,2)