FLORENCE, SC – The Francis Marion University men's tennis team defeated Newberry College 5-2 on Saturday (Feb. 8) in the debut of first-year Patriot head coach Laszlo Leiter.
 
Francis Marion (1-0) will host local-rival Coker University on Saturday (Feb. 15) at 1 p.m. on the Kassab Courts.
 
Francis Marion took an early 1-0 advantage by sweeping all three doubles matches.  Senior Martin Barbera and freshman Miguel Maia were victorious 6-1 at the top spot, while senior Harri Lloyd-Evans and junior Rodrigo Moura Ludgero won 6-4 at No.2 and senior Austin Vienna and sophomore Alexander Mirkov captured a 6-2 decision at No.3.
 
In singles action, Maia earned a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No.3 and Mirkov came out on top 6-2, 6-0 at No.5 to increase the Patriot lead to 3-0.
 
After Newberry won in three sets at both the No. 1 and 4 spots to trim the margin to 3-2, Lloyd-Evans clinched the win for Francis Marion with a come-from-behind 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory at No.2 singles.
 
Freshman Diego Vega Espinosa accounted for the final FMU point with a 6-2, 7-5 win at No.6.
 
 
2/8/2025 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
Francis Marion University 5, Newberry College 2
Singles competition
1. James Vincent (NBY) def. Martin Barbera (FMU) 0-6, 6-4, 6-4
2. Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) def. David Negazaoui (NBY) 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
3. Miguel Maia (FMU) def. Joshua Fritz (NBY) 6-2, 6-2
4. Daniel Watson (NBY) def. R. Moura Ludgero (FMU) 7-5, 2-6, 7-5
5. Alexander Mirkov (FMU) def. Senthen Reddy (NBY) 6-2, 6-0
6. Diego Vega Espinosa (FMU) def. Noel Bartz (NBY) 6-2, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Martin Barbera/Miguel Maia (FMU) def. James Vincent/David Negazaoui (NBY) 6-1
2. Harri Lloyd-Evans/R. Moura Ludgero (FMU) def. Joshua Fritz/Daniel Watson (NBY) 6-4
3. Austin Vienna/Alexander Mirkov (FMU) def. Senthen Reddy/Lucas Mruk (NBY) 6-2
 
Match Notes:  Newberry College 0-1
Francis Marion University 1-0
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,5,4,1,2,6)