Francisco is Top Dog in 85th Annual City of Asheville Open Tennis Championships

Asheville, N.C.- UNC Asheville's Hannah Francisco took the top spot in singles play in the 85^th Annual City of Asheville Open Tennis Championships this weekend here in Asheville. She is the first Bulldog to win the tournament in program history.

The Hickory, N.C. native starred in her debut season as a Bulldog, receiving Singles Second Team All-Conference Honors. Francisco had the second-best singles record for the Bulldogs in regular season play at 8-6 (4-5 BSC).

"I am not surprised by Hannah's win this past weekend. She is a very good tennis player and she is doing the things we talked about her doing over the summer, that being training and playing tournament's, so that she can come back strong in the fall," said head women's tennis coach Lise Gregory.

Francisco put in time for Asheville in both the number one (5-6) and number two spots (3-0) this season including victories in crucial matches to clinch for Asheville. She was also a two-time Big South Conference Freshman of the Week selection.

Francisco and the Bulldogs will return to competition on September 10 at a fall tournament hosted by Western Carolina University.