Early in the season, the University of South Carolina Aiken men's tennis team defeated Francis Marion by a 7-2 score, giving the team a 2-1 league record at the time. The squad's win over the Patriots marked the second straight in the series for head coach Steve Dahm's program. The Pacers used the momentum of the match throughout the season en route to earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's tennis team recorded a 7-2 victory over Francis Marion Sunday afternoon in league action.

The Pacers are now 6-2 overall, including a 2-1 mark against league foes. The Patriots fall to 5-5 on the year, including an 0-3 mark against conference competition.

Head coach Steve Dahm's team earned three hard-fought wins in doubles action, setting the team up nicely for singles play.

Top-seeded Ettore Damiani and Julien Tan combined for an 8-5 victory at the No. 1 spot. Mathias Degardin and Clement Raymond netted a victory by an identical score as the No. 2 seed. Alejandro Andino and Hunter Lathrop teamed up for an 8-6 victory at the No. 3 slot.

In singles action, it took Tan, playing as the No. 1 seed, three sets, but he pulled out the 3-6, 7-6, 6-1 victory over his opponent. Damiani was forced into extra points in the first set, but prevailed 7-5, 6-2, for the win.

Degardin also played three sets. After winning the first set 6-4, he lost the second frame 7-6. However, playing at the No. 3 spot, Degardin pulled out the 10-4 victory in the final set.

Andino lost his opening set at the No. 6 spot, but bounced back to win 6-4, 10-5 to give the Pacers the 7-2 victory.