GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman senior Madison Dillon recorded a singles victory at flight five to clinch a 4-3 win over Mercer on Senior Day Wednesday at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.

A native of Hilton Head, S.C., Dillon teamed with freshman Luca Victoria Vocke to beat Marina de Diego Quinones and Kristin Yordanova, 6-1, at flight three doubles then came from behind for the 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 advantage over de Diego Quinones in singles to seal the team win.  During Dillon's five seasons at Furman, the Paladins have amassed a perfect 28-0 Southern Conference regular season record and have claimed three league regular season titles plus three SoCon tournament championships, in addition to making three NCAA tournament appearances.

Furman (10-11, 6-0 SoCon) won a hard-fought doubles point to open the match.  After the Paladin victory at flight three, Mary West Courville and Teodora Ristic posted a 6-1 victory over 71st-ranked sophomores Jess Dawson and Sara Snyder at flight one to even the slate.  Down 4-1, sophomores Marissa Pennings and Ellie Schulson clawed back to win at flight two in a seemingly endless tiebreaker, 7-6(10), versus Camilla Ciaccia and Eden Schlagenhauf.

The Paladins captured singles points at flights three and six before Dillon clinched the match.  Vocke made quick work of Yordanova, winning 6-0, 6-3, at flight six, and Snyder held off Schlagenhauf, 7-6(3), 6-0, at number three.  

Mercer (11-9, 3-3 SoCon) scored three singles points, but Furman pushed the Bears to a third set in two of the three matches.  Ristic barely defeated Schulson, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), at flight one, and Courville came from behind for a 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 margin over Pennings at number two.  At flight four, Ciaccia downed Dawson, 6-0, 6-3. 

Furman concludes the regular season Saturday when the Paladins entertain ETSU in a battle between the SoCon's two unbeaten teams.  First serve is set for 11 a.m. at the Mickel Tennis Center.  

Mercer vs Furman • 04/12/2023 at Greenville, S.C. • Mickel Tennis Center

Furman 4, Mercer 3

Singles competition

1. Teodora Ristic (MER-W) def. Ellie Schulson (FUR) 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)

2. Mary West Courville (MER-W) def. Marissa Pennings (FUR) 2-6, 7-5, 6-4

3. Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Eden Schlagenhauf (MER-W) 7-6 (7-3), 6-0

4. Camilla Ciaccia (MER-W) def. Jess Dawson (FUR) 6-0, 6-3

5. Madison Dillon (FUR) def. M de Diego Quinones (MER-W) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2

6. Luca Victoria Vocke (FUR) def. Kristin Yordanova (MER-W) 6-0, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Mary West Courville/Teodora Ristic (MER-W) def. #71 Jess Dawson/Sara Snyder (FUR) 6-1

2. Marissa Pennings/Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Camilla Ciaccia/Eden Schlagenhauf (MER-W) 7-6 (12-10)

3. Madison Dillon/Luca Victoria Vocke (FUR) def. M de Diego Quinones/Kristin Yordanova (MER-W) 6-1

Match Notes: Mercer 11-9, 3-3 SoCon• Furman 10-11, 6-0 SoCon

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

T-04:00