April 22, 2007

Agate

Charleston, S.C. - It came down to the final match of the day, but Furman junior Lauren Osborne pulled out a three-set victory over College of Charleston's Link Leskosky to give the Lady Paladin tennis team its fourth consecutive Southern Conference Tournament title with a 4-3 win over the Cougars. With the win, Furman (16-9) earns a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament as well as its 15th league tournament crown.

"It was a really great match," said SoCon Coach of the Year Debbie Southern. "We came out really strong in the doubles and then Charleston matched us in the singles. Charleston played really well and we were fortunate to pull it out. The doubles point is such a key in this format."

Osborne was named the tournament MVP after pulling out the thrilling championship-clinching victory and winning her other singles matches in the competition in shutout fashion. A Lady Paladin has been named tournament MVP in each of the last four seasons.

Doubles wins at number two and three gave Furman the early advantage in the match. Lauren Tomory and Lisa Bornt-Davis defeated Chelsea Albertz and Julia Howard, 8-2, at number three. The duo is 14-7 on the season. Jacqueline Eckert and Lauren Osborne remained undefeated in their last nine matches, topping Laura Borza and Leskosky, 8-4, to give Furman the doubles point.

SoCon Player of the Year Laura Gioia put the Lady Paladins ahead by two, posting her 21st win of the year with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Albertz at number one. CofC got on the board with wins at flights four and five, but Furman kept the edge with Natasa Manojlovic's 6-2, 6-3 victory over Amanda Becker at position six. After dropping the opening set, Bonnie Baird battled back to even the match, but Borza pulled out a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win at number three to put the championship in the hands of Osborne and Leskosky at flight two. Osborne clinched the tournament crown with her 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory, extending Furman's season with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Furman's three seniors, Bonnie Baird, Lisa Bornt-Davis and Jacqueline Eckert, will leave the women's tennis program as the first Furman class never to lose a match to a league opponent during four years of competition.

NCAA Tournament action will begin on Friday, May 11.