AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's tennis team lost a 6-3 contest to Francis Marion Sunday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 6-3 overall, including a 1-2 mark against league foes. The Patriots improve to 8-2 on the year, including a 2-1 record against conference competition.

Head coach Steve Dahm's team fought hard in doubles action, but was unable to take any of the three matches from the visiting squad. The closest match came as Marie Habiyaremye and Sarah Bernos lost an 8-6 decision at the No. 2 spot. The No. 1 and No. 3 teams for the Pacers each lost by identical 8-5 scores.

USC Aiken opened singles action in fine style as top-seeded Nadine Tusiama posted a 6-2, 6-3 victory over her counterpart. Olivera Veskovac pushed her opponent to extra points in the first set, but fell 7-6, 6-3.

No. 3 Kayla Calvert and No. 4 Victoria Giannaccini each netted victories. Calvert lost her first set 6-3, but bounced back to take the win by scores of 7-6, 6-2. Giannaccini boasted a win by scores of 6-1, 7-6.

The match was nearly 5-4, but Habiyaremye dropped a three-set affair at No. 5. She lost the first set 6-2, but bounced back for a 6-4 win in the second stanza. However, her opponent recorded an 11-9 victory in the final set.