FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University rallied from an early deficit, but lost to Newberry College 4-2, Friday afternoon (Feb. 3) on the opening day of the City of Florence Men's Tennis Invitational Tournament.
 
Francis Marion (0-2) will face local-rival Coker University on Saturday at 9 a.m.  The Cobras fell 4-0 to 13th-ranked Lander University in their match on Friday.  FMU will play again on Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
Newberry (4-0) claimed the doubles point with wins at spots No.1 and 2.
 
Francis Marion quickly erased that deficit as junior sophomore Harri Lloyd-Evans was victorious at No.2 singles 6-1, 6-1 and junior Liam Day won 6-3, 6-2 at the top spot.
 
FMU sophomore Martin Barbera lost a marathon 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-2 decision at No.3 singles as the match was evened at 2-2.  The Wolves then claimed a straight-sets win at No.5 and a three-set victory at No.4 to advance to the winners' bracket.
 
 
Men's Tennis Match Results
02/03/2023 at Florence, SC (Dr. Eddie Floyd/Florence Tennis Center)
Newberry College 4, Francis Marion University 2
Singles competition
1. Liam Day (FMU) def. Mateo Bivols (NBY) 6-3, 6-2
2. Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) def. Marcel Schomburg (NBY) 6-1, 6-1
3. Laurenz Grabia (NBY) def. Martin Barbera (FMU) 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-2
4. Joshua Fritz (NBY) def. Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
5. Lawrence Friedland (NBY) def. Austin Vienna (FMU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4
6. Adam Ernberg (FMU) vs. Lucas Mruk (NBY) 6-3, 4-5, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Mateo Bivols/Joshua Fritz (NBY) def. Liam Day/Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) 6-4
2. Laurenz Grabia/Marcel Schomburg (NBY) def. Martin Barbera/Austin Vienna (FMU) 6-1
3. Harri Lloyd-Evans/Adam Ernberg (FMU) vs. Lawrence Friedland/Tal Cohen (NBY) 5-5, unfinished
 
Match Notes:  Newberry College 4-0
Francis Marion University 0-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (2,1,3,5,4)
City of Florence Invitational opening-round