FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5-4-06

2006 Mid-Atlantic Regional: No. 11 Francis Marion 5, No. 13 GC&SU 4

SAVANNAH, Ga. – No. 11-ranked Francis Marion rallied from 4-3 down in singles play to pick up a five-hour, 5-4 win over No. 13-ranked GC&SU in the first round of the Mid-Atlantic Women's Tennis regional in Savannah on Thursday afternoon.

The Patriots (20-5) fell behind in doubles, 2-1, to the Bobcats (15-9) and faced elimination after GC&SU picked up two singles wins from Anna Shchupak and Jessica McKnight. Jenny Ludwig outlasted Celine Martin, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, at No. 2 singles to tie the match at 4-all, then Magda Jezovicova closed out Sofia Intriago in three sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, for the clinching victory - Francis Marion's first win in NCAA Championships play since 1999.

Francis Marion now advances to face host Armstrong Atlantic State in the Mid-Atlantic Region Championship match at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 5.

- Pirates -

2006 Mid-Atlantic Regional - First Round

Francis Marion 5, GC&SU 4

Singles
#1 - Anan Shchupak (GCSU) def. Sarka Vitkova (FMU) 6-3, 6-1
#2 - Jenny Ludwig (FMU) def. Celine Martin (GCSU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
#3 - Kamina Murugaboopathy (FMU) def. Anna Davidsson (GCSU) 6-0, 6-1
#4 - Magda Jezovicova (FMU) def. Sofia Intriago (GCSU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
#5 - Elizabeth Lee (FMU) def. Gabby Acuna (GCSU) 6-3, 6-3
#6 - Jessica McKnight (GCSU) def. Sarah Hickman (FMU) 6-3, 6-1

Doubles
#1 - Shchupak/Martin (GCSU) def. Ludwig/Murugaboopathy (FMU) 8-5
#2 - Vitkova/Jezovicova (FMU) def. Davidsson/McKnight (GCSU) 8-6
#3 - Acuna/Intriago (GCSU) def. Lee/Maria Covell (FMU) 8-5
Records: FMU (20-5), GC&SU (15-9)