FLORENCE - The Lander women's tennis team suffered its first loss of the season Friday afternoon when the Lady Bearcats were edged by No. 13 Francis Marion, 5-4, in their Peach Belt Conference opening match.

Lander is 5-1 overall and 0-1 in the PBC, while FMU is 4-0, 1-0.

In singles, No. 1 Jitka Gavdunova (FMU) def. Brandi Cordell (LU), 6-1, 7-5; No. 2 Mona Blauen (FMU) def. Aurelia Ruffat (LU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2; No. 3 Eliza Adusumilli (LU) def. Caitlin Siney (FMU) 6-3, 6-0; No. 4 Kimberley Hurter (FMU) def. Nicola James (LU) 6-4, 6-1; No. 6 Cayce Bradley (LU) def. Kerry Hall (FMU) 6-4, 6-2; and No. 6 Melanise Newbold (LU) def. Kathryn Vernon (FMU) 6-3, 6-1.

In doubles, No. 1 .Mona Blauen/Jitka Gavdunova (FMU) def. Aurelia Ruffat/Cayce Bradley (LU) 8-3; No. 2 Kerry Hall/Kimberley Hurter (FMU) def. Nicola James/Eliza Adusumilli (LU) 9-7; and No. 3 Brandi Cordell/Melanise Newbold (LU) def. Caitlin Siney/Kathryn Vernon (FMU) 8-3.

Lander will host UNC Pembroke in a PBC match at 2 p.m., Sunday at The Joe Cabri Courts.