FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University women's tennis team lost a narrow 4-3 decision to Barton College, Sunday afternoon (Feb. 21) in non-conference action.
 
Francis Marion (1-3) will open Peach Belt Conference play on the road at Augusta University on Wednesday at noon, before returning home to entertain Chowan University on Saturday at noon on the Kassab Courts.
 
In Sunday's match, Barton earned the doubles point by virtue of a marathon 7-6 (8-6 tiebreaker) win at the No.1 spot.  Earlier, junior Eva Zannier and freshman Nargiza Yakhyaeva captured a 6-1 win at the No.2 position.
 
Francis Marion (1-3) quickly responded by taking a 2-1 lead after singles wins by freshman Viktoria Leth at No.2 (6-1, 6-2) and Zannier at No.3 (6-1, 6-4).  However, the Bulldogs clinched the match with victories at positions No.1, 4, and 6.
 
FMU freshman Camryn Cassetori accounted for the final point with a 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 1-0 (10-5) win at No.5 singles.
 
Women's Tennis
2-21-2021 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
Barton College 4, Francis Marion University 3
Singles competition
1. Marissa Stevenson (BARTON) def. Hermon Mikael (FMUW) 6-2, 6-4
2. Viktoria Leth (FMUW) def. Eimear Maher (BARTON) 6-1, 6-2
3. Eva Zannier (FMUW) def. Grace McCartney (BARTON) 6-1, 6-4
4. Ada Vargas (BARTON) def. Nargiza Yakhyaeva (FMUW) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Camryn Cassetori (FMUW) def. Claudia Capellades (BARTON) 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 1-0 (10-5)
6. Luciana Prudencio (BARTON) def. Kailey Eggert (FMUW) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Marissa Stevenson/Eimear Maher (BARTON) def. Hermon Mikael/Viktoria Leth (FMUW) 7-6 (8-6)
2. Eva Zannier/Nargiza Yakhyaeva (FMUW) def. Isabella Caballero/Claudia Capellades (BARTON) 6-1
3. Ada Vargas/Luciana Prudencio (BARTON) def. Kailey Eggert/Camryn Cassetori (FMUW) 6-1
 
Match Notes: Barton College 1-0
Francis Marion University 1-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (2,3,1,4,6,5)