BRISTOL, TN – Senior Martin Barbera and freshman Miguel Maia combined for a doubles win and each won their singles match to help propel Francis Marion University to a 5-2 road win over King University (Tenn.), Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 9) in Conference Carolinas men's tennis action.
 
Francis Marion improves to 9-6 overall and 5-2 in conference play.  The Patriots will host Young Harris College for Senior Day and Alumni Day on Saturday at 10 a.m. on the Kassab Courts.  Admission is free.
 
FMU took a 1-0 advantage by sweeping the three doubles matches in order.  Barbera  and Maia were victorious 6-3 at the top spot, seniors Harri Lloyd-Evans and Austin Vienna won 6-4 at the No.2 position, and senior Luis Lopez Sarasa and freshman Diego Vega Espinosa took the No.3 match in a tie-breaker 7-6 (10-8).
 
Barbera and Maia quickly extended the margin to 3-0 with victories at the No.1 and 2 singles positions by 6-3, 6-3 and 6-2, 6-1 scores respectively.
 
For Barbera, it was his 49th career singles win in 74 decisions and his 45th career doubles victory.
 
The Tornado captured the No.5 singles match, but Vega Espinosa provided the clinching point with a 6-3, 6-3 win at the No.6 spot.
 
Junior Rodrigo Moura Ludgero accounted for the other FMU point with a 6-4, 6-4 win at the No. 4 spot.
 

Men's Tennis Match Results
4/9/2025 at Bristol, Tenn. (King Tennis Courts)
Francis Marion University 5, King University 2
Singles competition
1. Martin Barbera (FMU) def. Bar Meshel (KING) 6-3, 6-3
2. Miguel Maia (FMU) def. Hoto Tajima (KING) 6-2, 6-1
3. Rhys Halcrow (KING) def. Harri Lloyd-Evans (FMU) 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5)
4. R. Moura Ludgero (FMU) def. Danny Neleman (KING) 6-4, 6-4
5. Caetano Luzzi (KING) def. Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) 6-1, 6-4
6. Diego Vega Espinosa (FMU) def. Mat Vieira (KING) 6-3, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Martin Barbera/Miguel Maia (FMU) def. Hoto Tajima/Danny Neleman (KING) 6-3
2. Harri Lloyd-Evans/Austin Vienna (FMU) def. Caetano Luzzi/Rhys Halcrow (KING) 6-4
3. Diego Vega Espinosa/Luis Lopez Sarasa (FMU) def. Bar Meshel/Mat Vieira (KING) 7-6 (10-8)
 
Match Notes:  Francis Marion University 9-6 , 5-2
King University 7-9, 1-6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (1,2,5,6,4,3)