#5 FMU Men beat Pfeiffer 8-1

FLORENCE, SC - The fifth-ranked Francis Marion University men's tennis team took a 3-0 lead after doubles play and cruised to an 8-1 non-conference win over Pfeiffer University, Friday afternoon (Feb. 13) in the Patriots' home opener.

Francis Marion (2-0) will open Peach Belt Conference play on Sunday when the Patriots host North Georgia College & State University at 11 a.m. on the Kassab Courts.  Pfeiffer (1-2) will host Lenoir-Rhyne College on Feb. 20 at 2:30 p.m.

FMU's lone defeat was in three sets at No. 1 singles, while the other five singles players did not drop a set.

Men's Tennis ; Feb 13, 2009 at Florence, SC

#5 Francis Marion University 8, Pfeiffer University 1

Singles competition

1. Philip Lawson (PFEIF) def. Karl Rogers (FMU) 6-7, 6-1, 6-2

2. Mario Kieck (FMU) def. Kaushik (PFEIF) 6-3, 6-2

3. Bastian Czwalinna (FMU) def. Johan de Wit (PFEIF) 6-1, 6-2

4. Michael Hafke (FMU) def. A.J. Flores (PFEIF) 6-3, 6-1

5. Dirk Bair (FMU) def. Frank Pouchet (PFEIF) 6-1, 6-1

6. Jack Bishop (FMU) def. Cody Simpson (PFEIF) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. Mario Kieck/Dirk Bair (FMU) def. Johan de Wit/Philip Lawson (PFEIF) 8-3

2. Matthew Keth/Karl Rogers (FMU) def. A.J. Flores/Kaushik (PFEIF) 9-8 (7-2)

3. Jack Bishop/Noah van Moerkerken (FMU) def. Cody Simpson/Frank Pouchet (PFEIF) 8-1

Match Notes: Pfeiffer 1-2; Francis Marion 2-0; National ranking #5; Regional ranking #2 ; T-3:30  A-35