MURFREESBORO, NC -- Francis Marion University swept all three doubles matches and then captured five of six singles contests to defeat Chowan University 6-1 on Saturday afternoon (March 19), earning the program's first-ever Conference Carolinas win.
 
The 32nd-ranked team in the latest NCAA Division II poll, Francis Marion wins its seventh straight match to improve to 7-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play.  The seven-match winning streak is the longest since the 2013 campaign.

The Patriots will return home to host Emmanuel College (Ga.) on Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Kassab Courts.
 
Doubles wins by sophomores Liam Day and Leonel Gonzalez (6-1) at No.1 and sophomore Adam Ernberg and freshman Luis Lopez Sarasa (6-0) at No.3 clinched the doubles point for FMU and a 1-0 advantage.
 
Lopez Sarasa started singles play with a 7-5, 6-4 victory at the No.4 position and freshman Martin Barbera followed with a 7-5, 6-3 win at No.3 to up the Patriot lead to 3-0.  After Chowan earned a three-set win at No.2 singles to draw within 3-1, FMU sophomore David Bodson registered the match-clinching point with a 6-2, 6-2 victory at the No.6 position.
 
 
Men's Tennis Match Results
3/19/2022 at Murfreesboro, NC (Rose Family Tennis Complex)
#32 Francis Marion 6, Chowan 1
Singles competition
1. Liam Day (FMU) def. Aser Shaaban (CHOWAN) 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-1
2. Santino Jose Sormani (CHOWAN) def. Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
3. Martin Barbera (FMU) def. Hesley Masara (CHOWAN) 7-5, 6-3
4. Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) def. Michael Correa (CHOWAN) 7-5, 6-4
5. Adam Ernberg (FMU) def. Alvaro Juscamaita (CHOWAN) 6-4, 6-2
6. David Bodson (FMU) def. Leandro Tello (CHOWAN) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Liam Day/Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) def. Santino Jose Sormani/Hesley Masara (CHOWAN) 6-1
2. Harri Lloyd-Evans/Martin Barbera (FMU) def. Michael Correa/Aser Shaaban (CHOWAN) 6-2
3. Adam Ernberg/Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) def. Alvaro Juscamaita/Leandro Tello (CHOWAN) 6-0
 
Match Notes:  Francis Marion 7-2 (1-0); National ranking #32
Chowan 1-4 (0-1)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,3,2,6,1,5)