FLORENCE, S.C. – The Barton College men's tennis team (0-4) played at the City of Florence Invitational this past weekend at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Center.
Friday, February 8 – Francis Marion 4, Barton 0
The Patriots was first on the points' column after securing the doubles point with wins over junior Rory Gaydon (Darlington, ENGLAND) and freshman James Kelly (Mazabuka, ZAMBIA) by a 6-4 score at No. 2 doubles and sophomore Alessandro Gerbino (Borlange, SWEDEN) at third doubles by a 6-2 score. Francis Marion followed up with straight set wins at second, third and sixth singles.
Saturday, February 9 – Augusta 4, Barton 0
The Bulldogs were hurt by another slow start after losing the doubles' point with setbacks at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, 6-1 and 6-3, respectively. Barton looked to bounce back but Augusta was strong with straight set victories at third, fifth and sixth singles. At second singles, Gaydon battled to a third set before the Jaguars secured the win.
Saturday, February 9 – Newberry 4, Barton 1
Newberry featured No. 12-nationally ranked – and second-ranked regional player – Edison Ambarzumjan (Munich, GERMANY), who played at No. 1 singles against Barton sophomore Diego Agudelo (Bogata, COLOMBIA). This would be the deciding point for the tie. Agudelo took the first set by a 6-4 score but Ambarzumjan bounced back in the second set and winning, 6-0. With the match on the line, the third set went to a tiebreak with Ambarzumjan prevailing by a 7-6 score.
Though the Bulldogs lost to the Wolves, the other two singles matches of Gaydon and Kelly were both leading in the third sets by scores of 4-1. Barton sophomore Hugh Ryder (Dartmouth, ENGLAND) won at sixth singles.
Barton returns to the court on Friday, February 15, to take on Methodist at 2:00 p.m., in the spring home opener.
