BELMONT, NC – Despite singles wins from senior Leonel Gonzalez and junior Martin Barbera, 43rd-ranked Francis Marion University dropped a 5-2 decision to 33rd-ranked Belmont Abbey College, Friday afternoon (Apr. 19) in Conference Carolinas men's tennis action.
 
Francis Marion (10-7, 4-3) will play its final regular-season match on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Converse University.
 
Belmont Abbey (21-18, 5-2) swept all three doubles matches by scores of 6-4, 6-4, and 6-3 to take a 1-0 lead.
 
The Crusaders took straight-set wins at singles positions No.2 and No.5 to up their advantage to 3-0.
 
Barbera was victorious 7-6, 6-4 at No.1 singles to bring the Patriots within 3-1, but Belmont Abbey earned the match-clinching win at No.4 singles by a 6-2, 6-4 score.
 
Gonzalez provided the other FMU point with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-0 victory at No.3 singles.
 
 
Men's Tennis Match Results
4/19/2024 at Belmont, N.C. (Reidy Tennis Center)
#33 Belmont Abbey 5, #43 Francis Marion University 2
Singles competition
1. Martin Barbera (FMU) def. Chase Martin (BAC) 7-6, 6-4
2. Christian Winstead (BAC) def. Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) def. Nicholas Cary (BAC) 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
4. Tim Stemler (BAC) def. Ben Scott (FMU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Andres Golindano (BAC) def. Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Kai Lloveras (BAC) def. Adam Ernberg (FMU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
Doubles competition
1. Chase Martin/Jackson Korta (BAC) def. Martin Barbera/Leonel Gonzalez (FMU) 6-4
2. Christian Winstead/Nicholas Cary (BAC) def. Luis Lopez Sarasa/Austin Vienna (FMU) 6-4
3. Noelle Andrey Ampong/Tim Stemler (BAC) def. Harri Lloyd-Evans/Pedro Caro (FMU) 6-3
 
Match Notes:  Francis Marion University 10-7 (4-3 CC); National ranking #43
Belmont Abbey 21-18 (5-2 CC); National ranking #33
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (2,5,1,4,3,6)