FLORENCE, SC – The 41st-ranked Francis Marion University men's tennis team lost a 4-1 decision to Belmont Abbey College in the championship match of the 2023 Conference Carolinas Tournament, Sunday afternoon (Apr. 23) at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center.
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The top-seeded Patriots end their season with a 13-8 record. FMU captured the regular-season crown, its first since 1999, and was vying for its first tournament championship since moving to NCAA affiliation in 1993.
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Second-seeded Belmont Abbey (21-19) earned the doubles point with 6-3 wins at positions No.3 and No.2, in that order.
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FMU sophomore
Martin Barbera drew the Patriots even at 1-1 with a 7-5, 6-3 victory at No.2 singles. However, the Crusaders won in three-sets (6-2, 3-6, 6-1) at No.3 singles, in straight sets (6-0, 7-6 [7-4]) at No.5, and in straight sets (6-0, 6-4) at No.6 to close out the match.
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The two remaining matches were either in a third set (No.1) or headed to a third set (No.4).
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Both Barbera and sophomore
Luis Lopez Sarasa were named to the All-Tournament Team.
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Barbera led the Patriots in singles play this season with a 16-5 mark, while junior
Liam Day was 15-4,
Leonel Gonzalez 11-7, and
Harri Lloyd-Evans 10-10. In doubles play, Day and Gonzalez paced FMU with a 13-4 record, while Barbera and Lopez Sarasa were 10-7.
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Men's Tennis Match Results
04/23/2023 at Florence, SCÂ (Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center)
Belmont Abbey College 4, #41 Francis Marion University 1
Singles competition
1.
Liam Day (FMU) vs. Xaveam Van Wijk (BAC) 5-7, 6-1, 1-1, unfinished
2.
Martin Barbera (FMU) def. Chase Martin (BAC) 7-5, 6-3
3. Nelson Stafford (BAC) def.
Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
4.
Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) vs. Nicholas Cary (BAC) 7-5, 1-6, unfinished
5. Andres Golindano (BAC) def.
Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) 6-0, 7-6 (7-4)
6. Alex Turner (BAC) def.
Adam Ernberg (FMU) 6-0, 6-4
Doubles competition
1.
Liam Day/
Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) vs. Chase Martin/Nicholas Cary (BAC) 4-5, unfinished
2. Xaveam Van Wijk/Alex Turner (BAC) def.
Martin Barbera/
Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) 6-3
3. Nelson Stafford/Christian Winstead (BAC) def.
Harri Lloyd-Evans/
Austin Vienna (FMU) 6-3
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Match Notes:Â Belmont Abbey College 21-19 (2 seed)
Francis Marion University 13-8 (1 seed); National ranking #41
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (2,3,5,6)
Conference Carolinas Men's Tennis Championship Match
T-2:25
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