GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Georgia Southern slipped past Furman, 4-3, Friday at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.

The Paladins came out strong early, winning two out of three doubles matches, each 6-0, to claim the first point.  Seniors Jake Bhangdia and Henrik Atlevi defeated Pascal Wagemaker and Alexandros Roumpis in the top-seeded contest, and senior Drew Singerman and freshman Emil Westling teamed up to beat Valentin Dun and Carter French at flight three.  The Eagles' Murphy McCullough and Tao Castillo outlasted senior Ivan Mitric and junior James Roelofse, 6-4, at flight two.

Georgia Southern (3-2) answered with four consecutive singles victories to take a 4-1 lead.  McCullough outlasted Bhangdia, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, at flight two, and at flight four, Castillo topped Singerman, 6-2, 6-0.  Roumpis held off Westling, 6-3, 7-6(5), at number five, and Jonathan Morales entered the lineup at flight six, where he scored a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Roelofse.

Furman won the final two points of the match.  Mitric scored at flight one singles, coming from behind to beat Wagemaker, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, then Atlevi defeated Dun, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, at number three.

Furman (2-3) will open the Southern Conference season Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Paladins play host to UNC Greensboro at the Mickel Tennis Center.  

Georgia Southern 4, Furman 3

Singles competition

1. Ivan Mitric (FUR) def. Pascal Wagemaker (GS) 4-6, 6-1, 6-3

2. Murphy McCullough (GS) def. Jake Bhangdia (FUR) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1

3. Henrik Atlevi (FUR) def. Valentin Dun (GS) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4

4. Tao Castillo (GS) def. Drew Singerman (FUR) 6-2, 6-0

5. Alexandros Roumpis (GS) def. Emil Westling (FUR) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)

6. Jonathan Morales (GS) def. James Roelofse (FUR) 7-5, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Jake Bhangdia/Henrik Atlevi (FUR) def. Pascal Wagemaker/Alexandros Roumpis (GS) 6-0

2. Murphy McCullough/Tao Castillo (GS) def. Ivan Mitric/James Roelofse (FUR) 6-4

3. Drew Singerman/Emil Westling (FUR) def. Valentin Dun/Carter French (GS) 6-0

Match Notes: Georgia Southern 3-2• Furman 2-3

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,6,5,2,1,3)