DAHLONEGA | Behind strong doubles play to open both matches, the University of North Georgia men's and women's tennis teams continued their late season pushes with Peach Belt Conference victories over Francis Marion on Senior Day at the UNG Tennis Complex at Yahoola Creek Park.  The women earned their eighth straight victory, edging the 30th-ranked Patriots 5-4 while the No. 21 Nighthawks swept the doubles and breezed to a 7-2 win.

The programs' four seniors – Matheus Guida, Mateus Camasmie, Natalia Escobar and Nela Handac were each honored for their career contributions to the UNG tennis program in a pre-match Senior Day ceremony. 

The victories over Francis Marion were there first ever in program history for both teams.

In the women's contest, North Georgia (10-8, 4-6 PBC) took a 2-1 lead into singles play but saw Francis Marion (9-7, 5-6 PBC) respond by taking the top three lines in singles.  Mathilde Baartvedt and Simone Krog posted wins and fourth and sixth singles to even the score at four apiece before Hannah Stanford provided the clinching point after battling back from a first set loss to claim a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Mona Piller in the decisive match at No. 5 singles.

The win is the eighth consecutive for the Nighthawks, marking a new school record for consecutive victories.  North Georgia has moved up the PBC standings to a tie for eighth with three league contests remaining.  The top eight regular season finishers qualify for the conference tournament.

The win was also the third of the season over a top-50 ranked team.

The women's team will be in action again on short rest with an 11:00 a.m. match against UNC Pembroke tomorrow (Apr.12) at the UNG Tennis Complex.

In the men's match, the Nighthawks (13-3, 5-3 PBC) continued their stellar doubles play by sweeping all three matches.  North Georgia has won 22 of 27 doubles matches on the season. 

Francis Marion (7-8, 2-6 PBC) avoided the shutout with singles wins at the top and bottom of the lineup sheet.

North Georgia will return to the courts on Apr. 17 with a home PBC match against No. 20 Georgia College.  

WOMEN: University of North Georgia 5, #30 Francis Marion University 4

Singles
1. Samantha Koelliker (FMU) def. Felicia Baratta (UNGW) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
2. Julia Graf (FMU) def. Natalia Escobar (UNGW) 6-4, 6-4
3. Sofia Henning (FMU) def. Rita Kaldawi (UNGW) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
4. Mathilde Baartvedt (UNGW) def. Christina Graf (FMU) 6-1, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3
5. Hannah Stanford (UNGW) def. Mona Piller (FMU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
6. Simone Krog (UNGW) def. M. Taylor Whisnant (FMU) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
1. Samantha Koelliker/Julia Graf (FMU) def. Felicia Baratta/Rita Kaldawi (UNGW) 8-1
2. Simone Krog/Natalia Escobar (UNGW) def. Nora Westbye/Sofia Henning (FMU) 8-0
3. Mathilde Baartvedt/Nela Handac (UNGW) def. Mona Piller/Christina Graf (FMU) 8-5

MEN: #21 University of North Georgia 7, Francis Marion University 2

Singles
1. Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. Matheus Guida (UNGM) 6-4, 7-5
2. Philipp Mueller (UNGM) def. J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
3. Julian Schoeller (UNGM) def. Dion Nijboer (FMU) 6-0, 6-2
4. Alexander Reinauer (UNGM) def. Gavin Davison (FMU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Mateus Camasmie (UNGM) def. Eimon Heywood (FMU) 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 1-0 (13-11)
6. Marius Wahlier (FMU) def. Tomas Schneider (UNGM) 6-2, 6-4

Doubles
1. #12 Mateus Camasmie/Matheus Guida (UNGM) def. Richard Ashforth/J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) 8-6
2. Julian Schoeller/Philipp Mueller (UNGM) def. Dion Nijboer/Patrick Hensley (FMU) 8-3
3. Tomas Schneider/Alexander Reinauer (UNGM) def. Gavin Davison/Marius Wahlier (FMU) 8-4