CHATTANOOGA, TENN. -- Furman blanked Western Carolina, 4-0, in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Southern Conference Championship, which is being contested this week at the Champions Club in Chattanooga, Tenn.

With the win, the Paladins (11-12, 6-1 SoCon) advance to the semifinal round, where Furman will face third-seeded Samford or sixth-seeded Chattanooga Friday at 10 a.m.  The Catamounts conclude their season at 9-14.  Furman has now reached the semifinals in each SoCon Championship since the tournament moved to a team scoring format in 1998.

The Paladins won at flights one and three doubles to score the opening point.  Juniors Grace Thomas and Alexa Griffith teamed up for a 6-1 advantage over Dasha Osadova and Andrea Renondo at number three, before WCU's Jade Groen and Madison Schwarz defeated juniors Jess Dawson and Sara Snyder, 6-4, at flight two.  In the decisive flight one contest, junior Ellie Schulson and freshman Macy Hitchcock posted a 6-4 victory over Angela Perez Barro and Isabella Sambola.

Furman scored in straight sets at flights one, five, and six singles for the victory.  Snyder defeated Sambola, 6-1, 6-2, at number one, and junior Marissa Pennings entered the lineup at number five, where she blew past Redondo, 6-1, 6-1.  At number six, Dawson topped Osadova, 6-4, 6-2.  

Matches at flights two, three, and four were unfinished.

#7 Western Carolina vs. #2 Furman • 4/18/2024 at Chattanooga, Tenn. • Champions Club

Furman 4, Western Carolina 0

Singles competition

1. Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Isabella Sambola (WCU) 6-1, 6-2

2. Ellie Schulson (FUR) vs. Jade Groen (WCU) 5-7, unfinished

3. Grace Thomas (FUR) vs. Angela Perez (WCU) 3-6, 3-2, unfinished

4. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) vs. Madison Schwarz (WCU) 6-7 (2-7), 1-1, unfinished 

5. Marissa Pennings (FUR) def. Andrea Redondo (WCU) 6-1, 6-1

6. Jess Dawson (FUR) def. Dasha Osadova (WCU) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. Ellie Schulson/Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Angela Perez/Isabella Sambola (WCU) 6-4 

2. Jade Groen/Madison Schwarz (WCU) def. Sara Snyder/Jess Dawson (FUR) 6-4

3. Grace Thomas/Alexa Griffith (FUR) def. Dasha Osadova/Andrea Redondo (WCU) 6-1

Match Notes: Western Carolina 9-14 • Furman 11-12

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

2024 Southern Conference Tournament (Quarterfinals)