GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman trounced Samford, 6-1, to open the Southern Conference season Sunday at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.
The Paladins (5-10, 1-0 SoCon) won a close doubles point to start the match. Junior Grace Thomas and freshman Maeve Thornton blew past Margaret Jaraczewski and Lauren Waddles, 6-2, at flight three, but the top two matches were neck and neck. Juniors Jess Dawson and Sara Snyder claimed the final two games to hold off Grace Keller and Emily Surcey, 7-5, at flight two to clinch the point, before freshman Macy Hitchcock and junior Ellie Schulson came from behind for a 7-6(4) tiebreaker win versus Alexis Lopez and Noelle Mauro.
In singles play, Furman won five matches, four in straight sets. Snyder eked out a 6-3, 6-7(4), 1-0(12-10) victory over Lopez in the top-seeded contest, and Thornton made quick work of Surcey, 6-1, 6-1, at number two. Thomas beat Mauro, 6-2, 6-3, at flight four, and Hitchcock topped Jaraczewski, 6-3, 6-4, at flight five. At number six, junior Marissa Pennings joined the Paladin lineup, where she recorded a 7-5, 6-3 advantage over Meredith Taylor.
Samford (3-10, 0-2 SoCon) scored at flight three, where Ally Hayduk entered the lineup and came from behind to defeat Schulson, 6-3, 4-6, 1-0(10-8).
Furman will entertain Wofford Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the battle for the Pinson Cup. Bobby and Dixie Pinson, beloved friends of both the Furman and Wofford programs, have given the trophy and a generous donation in honor of the rivalry between the two schools. The trophy stays with the winning school until the winner of the next season's match is determined, and the Paladins have been awarded the trophy each year since its inception in 2005.
Samford vs Furman • 03/17/2024 at Greenville, S.C. • Mickel Tennis Center
Furman 6, Samford 1
Singles competition
1. Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Alexis Lopez (SAMW) 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 1-0 (12-10)
2. Maeve Thornton (FUR) def. Emily Surcey (SAMW) 6-1, 6-1
3. Ally Hayduk (SAMW) def. Ellie Schulson (FUR) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8)
4. Grace Thomas (FUR) def. Noelle Mauro (SAMW) 6-2, 6-3
5. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Margaret Jaraczewski (SAMW) 6-3, 6-4
6. Marissa Pennings (FUR) def. Meredith Taylor (SAMW) 7-5, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Macy Hitchcock/Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Alexis Lopez/Noelle Mauro (SAMW) 7-6 (7-4)
2. Jess Dawson/Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Grace Keller/Emily Surcey (SAMW) 7-5
3. Grace Thomas/Maeve Thornton (FUR) def. Margaret Jaraczewski/Lauren Waddles (SAMW) 6-2
Match Notes: Samford 3-10, 0-2 SoCon • Furman 5-10, 1-0 SoCon
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (2,5,4,1,6,3)
