SAINT LEO, FL – The Francis Marion University women's tennis team opened its season at the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Collegiate Cup on Saturday (Feb. 3).  The Patriot women fell to fifth-ranked Saint Leo University 4-0 in the opening round and then dropped a 6-1 decision to Tusculum University in the consolation match.
 
Francis Marion will travel to Newberry College for a 2 p.m. match on Thursday afternoon.
 
Freshman Polina Gontaryk picked up the lone FMU point of the day as she was victorious 6-1, 7-5 at No.5 singles against the Pioneers.  Two of the other singles matches went to three sets.
 
Although the Patriots lost the doubles point to Tusculum, Gontaryk and sophomore Chelsea Seidewitz captured a 6-3 win at No.2 doubles.
 
 
2/3/2024 at Saint Leo, Fla. (Saint Leo Tennis Center)
#5 Saint Leo 4, Francis Marion University 0
Singles competition
1. Nicole Dufour (SLU) def. G. Karatantcheva (FMU_W) 6-4, 6-2
2. Luzia Obermeier (SLU) vs. Chelsea Seidewitz (FMU_W) 7-6 (0-5), 3-2, unfinished
3. Kamilya Shailina (SLU) def. Julie Martincova (FMU_W) 6-3, 6-1
4. Camila Keller (SLU) def. Kim Venghaus (FMU_W) 6-1, 6-3
5. Claudia Borbon Roca (SLU) vs. Polina Gontaryk (FMU_W) unfinished
6. Madelyn Martin (SLU) vs. Julia B. F. Pinto (FMU_W) 1-0, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Luzia Obermeier/Lavinia Lancellotti (SLU) def. G. Karatantcheva/Kim Venghaus (FMU_W) 6-2
2. Nicole Dufour/Catherine Rabatin (SLU) vs. Chelsea Seidewitz/Polina Gontaryk (FMU_W) 4-3, unfinished
3. Kamilya Shailina/Claudia Borbon Roca (SLU) def. Julie Martincova/Julia B. F. Pinto (FMUW) 6-2
Match Notes: Francis Marion University 0-1
Saint Leo 1-0; National ranking #5
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (3,1,4)
 
2/3/2024 at Saint Leo, Fla. (Saint Leo Tennis Center)
Tusculum 6, Francis Marion University 1
Singles competition
1. Valentina Loretz (TU) def. G. Karatantcheva (FMU_W) 6-3, 7-6 (0-5)
2. Ylva Frafjord Landa (TU) def. Chelsea Seidewitz (FMU_W) 7-6 (0-4), 6-3
3. Paulina Loretz (TU) def. Julie Martincova (FMU_W) 6-3, 7-5
4. Thilda Danielsson (TU) def. Kim Venghaus (FMU_W) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
5. Polina Gontaryk (FMU_W) def. Johanna Palacio (TU) 6-1, 7-5
6. Johanna Selde (TU) def. Julia B. F. Pinto (FMU_W) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (0-4)
Doubles competition
1. Valentina Loretz/Paulina Loretz (TU) def. G. Karatantcheva/Kim Venghaus (FMU_W) 6-3
2. Chelsea Seidewitz/Polina Gontaryk (FMU_W) def. Thilda Danielsson/Johanna Palacio (TU) 6-3
3. Ylva Frafjord Landa/Johanna Selde (TU) def. Julie Martincova/Julia B. F. Pinto (FMU_W) 6-2
 
Match Notes: Tusculum 1-1
Francis Marion University 0-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (5,3,2,1,4,6)