GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman sailed past UNC Asheville, 5-2, Saturday in the Paladins' home opener at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.

The Paladins (1-2) swept the doubles contests to open the match. Junior Jess Dawson and freshman Maeve Thornton blew past Ari Siegel and Linge Steenkamp, 6-2, at number one, and juniors Sara Snyder and Grace Thomas teamed up for a 6-3 victory over Louise Booker and Angelina Joy Hug at flight two.  In the flight three bout, freshman Macy Hitchcock and junior Ellie Schulson defeated Valeria Centeno and Avery Sager, 6-2. 

In singles action, Furman claimed the top three flights in straight sets.  Snyder topped Steenkamp, 6-1, 6-1, and Thornton beat Booker, 6-2, 6-3, at number two.  Schulson played at flight three, where she posted a 6-0, 6-2 advantage versus Alexis Nyborg.  The Paladins also won at flight five, where freshman Macy Hitchcock downed Sager, 6-1, 6-1. 

The Bulldogs (1-1) scored at flights four and six singles.  Hug held off Thomas, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, at number four, and Centeno defeated junior Marissa Pennings, 6-1, 6-4, at number six.

Furman travels to Huntington, W.Va., next weekend.  The Paladins will face Louisville Saturday at noon then square off against Marshall on Sunday at 10 a.m.  

Furman vs. UNC Asheville • 01/24/2024 at Greenville, S.C. • Mickel Tennis Center

Furman 5, UNC Asheville 2

Singles competition

1. Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Linge Steenkamp (UNCA) 6-1, 6-1

2. Maeve Thornton (FUR) def. Louise Booker (UNCA) 6-2, 6-3

3. Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Alexis Nyborg (UNCA) 6-0, 6-2

4. Angelina Joy Hug (UNCA) def. Grace Thomas (FUR) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 

5. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Avery Sager (UNCA) 6-1, 6-1

6. Valeria Centeno (UNCA) def. Marissa Pennings (FUR) 6-1, 6-4

Doubles competition

1. Jess Dawson/Maeve Thornton (FUR) def. Ari Siegel/Linge Steenkamp (UNCA) 6-2 

2. Sara Snyder/Grace Thomas (FUR) def. Louise Booker/Angelina Joy Hug (UNCA) 6-3 

3. Macy Hitchcock/Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Valeria Centeno/Avery Sager (UNCA) 6-2

Match Notes: Furman 1-2 • UNC Asheville 1-1

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