FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University rallied during singles play to upset the University of Mount Olive 5-2 on Wednesday (Apr. 16) in Conference Carolinas women's tennis action denying the Trojans a chance to win the regular-season title.

Francis Marion ends its regular season at 8-8 overall and 6-4 in league play.  The Patriots finish tied for sixth in the conference standings and will next play in the conference tournament Apr. 24-27 at the Palmetto Tennis Center in Sumter, S.C.

FMU senior Kim Venghaus and freshman Maia Warlies were victorious at No.3 doubles by a 6-1 decision, but the Trojans won the other two doubles matches to claim the point and a 1-0 advantage.

Venghaus finished the regular season unbeaten in conference singles play (7-0) with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No.5 singles.  She is the reigning conference Player of the Week.  Her win deadlocked the match at 1-1.

However, Mount Olive captured a straight-sets win at No.2 singles to regain the lead at 2-1.

Francis Marion then won the remaining four contests to post the 5-2 win.  Senior Sophia Hansen won at No.3 singles 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, while freshman Lara Lanno was the victor at the top spot 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.  Freshman Valery Gomez provided the clinching point with a  7-6 (7-3), 6-0 win at No.4 singles, and Warlies accounted for the final point with a 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 1-0 (10-5) victory at No.6 singles.

Both Hansen and Venghaus were playing their final matches on the Kassab Courts.

Women's Tennis Match Results

4/16/2025 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)

1. Lara Lanno (FMUW) def. Lara Stamereilers (UMO) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3

2. Simone Szovan (UMO) def. F. Hernandez Huerta (FMUW) 6-4, 6-4

3. Sophia Hansen (FMUW) def. Victoria Calle (UMO) 6-2, 1-6, 6-1

4. Valery Gomez (FMUW) def. Nina Bernier (UMO) 7-6 (7-3), 6-0

5. Kim Venghaus (FMUW) def. Julie Jagiella (UMO) 6-2, 6-2

6. Maia Warlies (FMUW) def. Claudia Cerdan (UMO) 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 1-0 (10-5)

1. Simone Szovan/Nina Bernier (UMO) def. Lara Lanno/Valery Gomez (FMUW) 6-3

2. Victoria Calle/Lara Stamereilers (UMO) def. F. Hernandez Huerta/Sophia Hansen (FMUW) 6-2

3. Kim Venghaus/Maia Warlies (FMUW) def. Alina Esser/Sandra Riecken (UMO) 6-1

Match Notes:  Univ. of Mount Olive 8-8, 7-2

Francis Marion University 8-8 , 6-4

Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,2,3,1,4,6)

Official: John Oliver