#8 Patriot Women fall to PC 5-4

FLORENCE, SC - The eighth-ranked Francis Marion University women's tennis team lost two of three doubles matches and then split the six singles matches to fall 5-4 to Division I Presbyterian College, Friday afternoon (Feb. 13) in FMU's 2009 home opener.

The loss evens the Patriots' record at 1-1 and snaps a 12-match home-court winning streak.  FMU will look to start another streak on Saturday when the Patriots entertain Brenau University at 11 a.m.

Presbyterian (2-3) will play at UNC Wilmington on Saturday at 11 a.m.

FMU's nationally ranked doubles team of Tereza Sykorova and Valeska Ibscher won easily 8-1 at the No.1 spot, and the Patriots' top three singles players all won in straight sets.  However, Presbyterian claimed the No. 5 and No.6 singles matches in straight sets and PC's Cara Carusa defeated Sabina Baberadova in three sets.

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

Presbyterian College 5, #8 Francis Marion University 4

Singles competition

1. #9 Tereza Sykorova (FMU) def. DIMINICH, Abby (PC) 6-1, 6-0

2. Valeska Ibscher (FMU) def. ISBELL, Heather (PC) 7-6 (7-5), 6-1

3. Jitka Gavdunova (FMU) def. DAVIS, Megan (PC) 6-3, 6-1

4. CARUSO, Cara (PC) def. Sabina Baberadova (FMU) 6-3, 6-7 (1-7), 6-2

5. OELKE, Paige (PC) def. Saskia Ludwig (FMU) 6-0, 7-6

6. WALDRON, Virginia (PC) def. Katie Cracraft (FMU) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. #8 Valeska Ibscher/Tereza Sykorova (FMU) def. OELKE, Paige/WALDRON, Virginia (PC) 8-1

2. DAVIS, Megan/DIMINICH, Abby (PC) def. Sabina Baberadova/Jitka Gavdunova (FMU) 9-7

3. ISBELL, Heather/CARUSO, Cara (PC) def. Saskia Ludwig/Katie Cracraft (FMU) 8-1

Match Notes:

Presbyterian College 2-3 ; Francis Marion University 1-1; National ranking #8; Regional ranking #3

PC is a member of the NCAA I Big South Conference ; FMU is a member of the NCAA II Peach Belt Conference ; FMU has 12-match home court winning streak snapped ; T-4:00  A-35