FLORENCE, SC – After losing the doubles point, 45th-ranked Francis Marion University then waited out a three-hour rain delay before rallying in singles play to claim a 4-3 win over visiting Converse University, Saturday (Mar. 25) in Conference Carolinas men's tennis play.
 
Francis Marion ups its overall record to 9-5, and remains unbeaten in conference play at 4-0, with its sixth-consecutive win.  The Patriots will step out of conference play for a road match at 31st-ranked Wingate University on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
 
Despite opening doubles play with a quick 6-0, 6-0 win at the top spot by FMU juniors Liam Day and Leonel Gonzalez, Converse earned the doubles point by winning 6-3 at No.2 and 6-4 at the No.3 position.  Day and Gonzalez, ranked 50th in the most recent Division II doubles rankings, improve to 10-2 this season with their 10th consecutive win.
 
The rain delay began just after singles play commenced.  Patriot sophomore Martin Barbera knotted the match at 1-1 after play resumed when his opponent at No.2 singles retired with Barbera ahead 6-0, 3-0 in the second set.
 
Day won 6-2, 6-3 at the No.1 spot and Gonzalez followed with a 7-5, 6-2 victory at the No.4 position to give FMU a 3-1 advantage.  After the Valkyries won at the No.6 rung, Patriot sophomore Harri Lloyd-Evans earned the clinching point with a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No.3 singles.
 
Barbera and Day continue to lead Francis Marion in singles play with 12-2 season records.
 
 
Men's Tennis Match Results
03/25/2023 at Florence, SC  (Kassab Courts)
#45 Francis Marion University 4, Converse University 3
Singles competition
1. Liam Day (FMU) def. Merlin Bellet (CONVERSE) 6-2, 6-3
2. Martin Barbera (FMU) def. Gregoire Legrand (CONVERSE) 6-0, 3-0, retired
3. Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) def. Enzo Marcheschi (CONVERSE) 6-2, 6-2
4. Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) def. Paul Berrouet (CONVERSE) 7-5, 6-2
5. Leopold Morel (CONVERSE) def. Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 1-0 (10-8)
6. Marty Letessier (CONVERSE) def. Adam Ernberg (FMU) 1-6, 6-3, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. #50 Liam Day/Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) def. Merlin Bellet/Enzo Marcheschi (CONVERSE) 6-0
2. Leopold Morel/Marty Letessier (CONVERSE) def. Martin Barbera/Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) 6-3
3. Gregoire Legrand/Paul Berrouet (CONVERSE) def. Harri Lloyd-Evans/Adam Ernberg (FMU) 6-4
 
Match Notes:  Converse University 3-11 , 1-3
Francis Marion University 9-5 , 4-0; National ranking #45
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,1,4,6,3,5)
3-hour rain delay