GREENVILLE, S.C. -- With the score tied at 3-all, Furman junior Ellie Schulson came from behind for a 5-7, 7-3, 6-3 victory over Marina Davtyan at flight three to lead Furman past Liberty, 4-3, Monday at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.

The Flames won a close doubles point to take an early lead.  At flight one, Liberty's Priscila Janikian and Daniella O'Neill held off Paladin junior Jess Dawson and freshman Maeve Thorton, 7-5, then Sadie Daavettila and Maria Parra Romero defeated juniors Sara Snyder and Grace Thomas, 7-6(3), at number three to clinch the point.  The flight two match was unfinished, with Paladin freshman Macy Hitchcock and Schulson leading Davtyan and Maria Turchetto, 5-1, in a tiebreaker at 6-all.

Liberty led 2-0 after Parra Romero defeated Snyder, 6-2, 6-3, at flight one singles, but the Paladins answered with victories in three-straight singles matches.  Marissa Pennings entered the lineup at flight six for Furman, where she beat Daavettila, 6-1, 6-4, then Hitchcock posted a 6-1, 6-4 advantage over Turchetto at number five.  Thomas came back for a three-set win at flight four, where she topped O'Neill, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, giving Furman a 3-2 lead in the contest, before Esther Lovato rallied for a 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 victory over Thornton at set two to tie the score at 3-apiece and set up the decisive flight three contest.

Furman (2-5) will compete at the prestigious Blue Gray Tournament in Montgomery, Ala., Friday and Saturday.  Draws will be released later this week.

Liberty vs Furman • 02/19/2024 at Greenville, S.C. • Mickel Tennis Center

Furman 4, Liberty 3

Singles competition

1. Maria Parra Romero (LIBERTYW) def. Sara Snyder (FUR) 6-2, 6-3

2. Esther Lovato (LIBERTYW) def. Maeve Thornton (FUR) 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 

3. Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Marina Davtyan (LIBERTYW) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3

4. Grace Thomas (FUR) def. Daniella O'Neill (LIBERTYW) 3-6, 6-3, 6-1

5. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Maria Turchetto (LIBERTYW) 6-1, 6-4

6. Marissa Pennings (FUR) def. Sadie Daavettila (LIBERTYW) 6-1, 6-4

Doubles competition

1. Priscila Janikian/Daniella O'Neill (LIBERTYW) def. Jess Dawson/Maeve Thornton (FUR) 7-5

2. Macy Hitchcock/Ellie Schulson (FUR) vs. Marina Davtyan/Maria Turchetto (LIBERTYW) 6-6, unfinished 

3. Sadie Daavettila/Maria Parra Romero (LIBERTYW) def. Sara Snyder/Grace Thomas (FUR) 7-6 (7-3)

Match Notes: Liberty 5-3 • Furman 2-5

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