GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman's seniors led the Paladins to opening-day victories over VCU, 5-2, and Emmanuel (Ga.), 7-0, Saturday at the Mickel Tennis Center. Julia Adams, Eva Border, and Mary Hunter Hyche were honored as they begin their final season for the Paladins.
The Paladins won five of six singles matches versus the Rams in the day's first match. Adams, who ranks 45th nationally, blew past 61st-ranked Paola Diaz Delgado, 6-2, 6-2, at flight one, and junior Madison Dillon topped Yelizaveta Karlova, 6-1, 6-2, at flight two. At number four, freshman Sara Snyder, who is ranked 65th nationally, held off Anja Draskovic, 6-3, 7-6(3). Freshmen Jess Dawson and Ellie Schulson won in straight sets at flights five and six, respectively. Dawson defeated Laura Astudillo, 7-6, 6-2, and Schulson topped Shivani Manjanna, 6-0, 6-2.
In doubles versus VCU, sophomore Ellie Schoppe teamed with Adams for a 6-1 victory over Draskovic and Diaz Delgado at flight two.
Furman swept the singles and doubles matches in the afternoon match against the Lions. Dillon moved to flight one, where she beat Alejandra Guerrero, 6-0, 6-0, and Snyder defeated Darja Chistov, 6-1, 6-2, at number two. At flight three, Dawson blanked Shatavisa Ghosh, 6-0, 6-0, and junior Maggie Pate entered the lineup at flight four, where she recorded a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Selina Donecker. Flights five and six played eight-game pro sets, with Schulson downing Zyanya Rogel, 8-1, at number five, and Borders blanking Lauren Castillon, 8-0, at flight six.
In doubles action, Adams and Schoppe teamed up for a 6-0 advantage versus Guerrero and Chistov in the top-seeded contest, and Schulson and Snyder beat Ghosh and Donecker, 6-1, at flight two. Pate and Borders swept Rogel and Castillon, 6-0, at number three.
"Today was a great day," said Furman head coach Adam Herendeen. "We showed great resilience to bounce back after doubles against a strong VCU team, and it was nice to see everyone get a win. I am really thankful for all our seniors have brought to our program, and I am excited for the season to be underway."
Furman (2-0) travels to Alabama, Ala., next Saturday for a match up versus UAB. The Paladins' match versus James Madison, which was scheduled for Monday in Greenville, has been postponed due to predicted inclement weather.
VCU vs Furman • 01/15/2022 at Greenville, S.C. • Mickel Tennis Center
Furman 5, VCU 2
Singles competition
1. #45 Julia Adams (FUR) def. #61 Paola Diaz Delgado (VCU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Madison Dillon (FUR) def. Yelizaveta Karlova (VCU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Nina Sorkin (VCU) def. Ellie Schoppe (FUR) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
4. #65 Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Anja Draskovic (VCU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Jess Dawson (FUR) def. Laura Astudillo (VCU) 7-6, 6-2
6. Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Shivani Manjanna (VCU) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Gabriela Davidescu/Shivani Manjanna (VCU) def. Jess Dawson/Madison Dillon (FUR) 7-5
2. Ellie Schoppe/Julia Adams (FUR) def. Anja Draskovic/Paola Diaz Delgado (VCU) 6-1
3. Nina Sorkin/Yelizaveta Karlova (VCU) def. Ilayda Baykan/Sara Snyder (FUR) 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,2,4,3,6,5)
Emmanuel (Ga.) vs Furman • 01/15/2022 at Greenville, S.C. • Mickel Tennis Center
Furman 7, Emmanuel (Ga.) 0
Singles competition
1. Madison Dillon (FUR) def. Alejandra Guerrero (EC) 6-0, 6-0
2. #65 Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Darja Chistov (EC) 6-1, 6-2
3. Jess Dawson (FUR) def. Shatavisa Ghosh (EC) 6-0, 6-0
4. Maggie Pate (FUR) def. Selina Donecker (EC) 6-1, 6-0
5. Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Zyanya Rogel (EC) 8-1
6. Eva Borders (FUR) def. Lauren Castillon (EC) 8-0
Doubles competition
1. Julia Adams/Ellie Schoppe (FUR) def. Alejandra Guerrero/Darja Chistov (EC) 6-0
2. Ellie Schulson/Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Shatavisa Ghosh/Selina Donecker (EC) 6-1
3. Maggie Pate/Eva Borders (FUR) def. Zyanya Rogel/Lauren Castillon (EC) 6-0
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,4,1,2,6)
