FLORENCE, SC – Freshman Sophia Hansen saved three match points en route to tying the match and sophomore Camryn Cassetori saved one match point while winning the clinching singles contest as 68th-ranked Francis Marion University rallied to beat Barton College 4-3, Wednesday afternoon (April 13) in Conference Carolinas women's tennis play.
 
The Patriots, winners of 10 of their last 11 matches, up their overall record to 12-4 and take a strong hold on second place in the conference at 7-1.  FMU will play its final three regular-season matches on the road, beginning with a showdown against first-place University of Mount Olive on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
 
Despite a quick 6-3 victory by freshman Paige Wise and sophomore Julie Martincova at No.1 doubles, Barton claimed the doubles point by winning at the No.2 and 3 positions.
 
Wise remained unbeaten (12-0) this season in singles play with a straight-sets 6-1, 6-2 victory at the No.1 position to even the match at 1-1.  After Barton won at the No.5 slot, Martincova again deadlocked the match at 2-2 with a come-from-behind 6-7 (0-7), 6-2, 6-3 win at No.3.
 
The Bulldogs regained the advantage with a three-set victory at No.2, but Hansen staved off three match points in the third set to win 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 and knot the contest at 3-3.  Cassetori then rallied after losing the first set, including fighting off one match point in the third-set tiebreaker, to come out on top 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) and clinch the match for FMU.
 
Prior to the match, Francis Marion honored its lone senior Hermon Mikael, who is currently injured and did not play against the Bulldogs.
 
 
Women's Tennis Match Results
4/13/2022 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
#68 Francis Marion University 4, Barton College 3
Singles competition
1. Paige Wise (FMUW) def. Eimear Maher (BC) 6-1, 6-2
2. Maren Kronsbein (BC) def. G. Karatantcheva (FMUW) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
3. Julie Martincova (FMUW) def. Tilde Howeler (BC) 6-7 (0-7), 6-2, 6-3
4. Sophia Hansen (FMUW) def. Fernandez-Trabadelo (BC) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
5. Isabella Caballero (BC) def. Kim Venghaus (FMUW) 6-3, 6-1
6. Camryn Cassetori (FMUW) def. Isabella Pita (BC) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6)
Doubles competition
1. Paige Wise/Julie Martincova (FMUW) def. Maren Kronsbein/Tilde Howeler (BC) 6-3
2. Isabella Caballero/Fernandez-Trabadelo (BC) def. Kim Venghaus/Sophia Hansen (FMUW) 6-2
3. Eimear Maher/Isabella Pita (BC) def. G. Karatantcheva/Camryn Cassetori (FMUW) 6-4
 
Match Notes:  Barton College 9-11 , 4-4
Francis Marion University 12-4 , 7-1; National ranking #68
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (1,5,3,2,4,6)