FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University sophomore Leonel Gonzalez clinched a 4-3 win over visiting Lenoir-Rhyne University on Sunday (Feb. 13) with a marathon 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (3-7), 6-2 win at No.3 singles as the Patriot men won their 2022 home opener.
 
Francis Marion (2-2) will return to action on Saturday, hosting Catawba College at 2 p.m. on the Kassab Courts.
 
In doubles play, FMU sophomore Adam Ernberg and freshman Luis Lopez Sarasa quickly claimed a 6-0 victory at the No.3 position, but Lenoir-Rhyne (2-3) captured the No.2 match leaving the doubles point up to the No.1 spot winner.
 
FMU sophomore Liam Day and Gonzalez combined to defeat Rhodri Atkinson and Josh Lazenby by a 7-5 count to give the Patriots a 1-0 advantage.  Atkinson and Lazenby were named All-Americans following the 2021 season.
 
Patriot freshman Harri Lloyd-Evans won 6-4, 6-4 at No.2 singles and Lopez Sarasa was victorious 6-3, 7-5 at No.5, while the Bears won at spots one and four leaving FMU clinging to a 3-2 lead.  Gonzalez then clinched the match win with his victory at No.3, before the Bears took the No.6 decision to account for the final tally.
 
 
Men's Tennis Match Results
2/13/ 2022 at Florence, SC
(Kassab Courts)
Francis Marion University 4, Lenoir-Rhyne University 3
Singles competition
1. Rhodri Atkinson (LRMTEN) def. Liam Day (FMU) 6-4, 6-1
2. Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) def. Josh Lazenby (LRMTEN) 6-4, 6-4
3. Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) def. Lewis Scott (LRMTEN) 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (3-7), 6-2
4. Joel Hemmings (LRMTEN) def. Martin Barbera (FMU) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2)
5. Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) def. Mauricio Hernandez (LRMTEN) 6-3, 7-5
6. Connor Gibson (LRMTEN) def. Adam Ernberg (FMU) 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-6)
Doubles competition
1. Liam Day/Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) def. Rhodri Atkinson/Josh Lazenby (LRMTEN) 7-5
2. Joel Hemmings/Mauricio Hernandez (LRMTEN) def. Martin Barbera/Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) 6-4
3. Adam Ernberg/Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) def. Patrik Alvestrand/Lewis Scott (LRMTEN) 6-0
 
Match Notes:  Lenoir-Rhyne University 2-3; Francis Marion University 2-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (1,2,4,5,3,6)