Francis Marion beats Trojans on tennis courts

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on February 3, 2012 1:48 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- The Mount Olive College men's and women's tennis teams launched their home schedule with a doubleheader loss against Southeast Region foe Francis Marion (S.C.) University on a blustery Thursday afternoon.

The Trojan men fell 8-1 to the No. 14-ranked Patriots.

The Trojan women, who forfeited two matches due to injuries, endured a 9-0 setback. The Patriots are ranked No. 8 in the preseason Division II Southeast Region poll.

On the men's side, Diego Sender remained unbeaten in singles play with a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-3, 10-2 triumph over Tim Ruepke at the No. 5 spot. Sender won against East Carolina on Wednesday.

MOC newcomer Rik Wolthuis took FMU's Gavin Davison to a first-set tiebreaker at No. 2 singles, but tumbled 7-6, 6-1.

On the women's side, the Trojans' Pietra Viana and Patricia Guedes each had some first-set success in their respective singles matches. But each eventually fell in straight sets.

The Trojan men (0-2 overall) entertain Chowan University on Feb. 11, while the Trojan women (0-1) play host to Fayetteville State University on Feb. 9.

Trojans edged 3-1

LORETTO, Pa. -- Division I St. Francis University capitalized on four consecutive Mount Olive College errors in the fourth set, and claimed a 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17 victory in men's volleyball action Thursday evening.

The Trojans (2-5 overall) continue their three-game road swing today against former NCAA Division I champion Penn State at College Park, Md. They conclude play Saturday against defending NCAA champion Ohio State.

Lukas Hoelzl and John Nunns provided 12 and 11 kills, respectively, against St. Francis. Jackson Metichechhia dished out 41 assists, while Dan Arnold recorded 10 digs defensively.

Adam Miracle's kill and a Red Flash attack error forged a 5-5 deadlock in the decisive fourth set. Four MOC miscues ignited St. Francis' match-clinching run and prevented the Trojans from beating their first Division I opponent of the season.