GREENVILLE, S.C. -- No. 40 Furman topped Western Carolina, 5-2, to open Southern Conference play Tuesday at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.

In doubles action, seniors Alexa Griffith and Grace Thomas beat Angela Perez and Madison Schwarz, 7-5, at flight three doubles to clinch the opening point for Furman.  Paladin senior Jess Dawson and sophomore Macy Hitchcock, who rank 64th nationally, blew past Andrea Redondo and Isabella Sambola, 6-1, at flight two, then Jade Groen and Chloe Schwarz came from behind for a 7-5 victory over 58th-ranked seniors Ellie Schulson and Sara Snyder in the top-seeded contest, setting up the decisive flight three contest.

Furman won four singles matches, three in straight sets, for the victory.  Dawson held off Sambola, 7-5, 7-6(3) at flight two, and Schulson made quick work of Perez with a 6-1, 6-0 win at flight four.  Hitchcock scored a 6-3, 6-3 advantage over Redondo at number five, then senior Marissa Pennings outlasted Chloe Schwarz, 6-2, 6(5)-7, 1-0(10-7) at flight three for the Paladins' final point of the day.

The Catamounts scored at flights one and six.  Groen came from behind to beat Snyder, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, at number one, and Zoe Lui entered the lineup at flight six, where she defeated Thomas, 6-3, 6-2.

The Paladins (7-2, 1-0 SoCon) will entertain UNC Greensboro Thursday at 3 p.m.

Western Carolina at No. 40 Furman • 02/25/2025 at Greenville, S.C. • Mickel Tennis Center

#40 Furman 5, Western Carolina 2
Singles competition
1. Jade Groen (WCU) def. Sara Snyder (FUR) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. Jess Dawson (FUR) def. Isabella Sambola (WCU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-3)
3. Marissa Pennings (FUR) def. Chloe Schwarz (WCU) 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 1-0 (10-8) 
4. Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Angela Perez (WCU) 6-1, 6-0
5. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Andrea Redondo (WCU) 6-3, 6-3
6. Zoe Lui (WCU) def. Grace Thomas (FUR) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Chloe Schwarz/Jade Groen (WCU) def. #58 Ellie Schulson/Sara Snyder (FUR) 7-5
2. #64 Jess Dawson/Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Andrea Redondo/Isabella Sambola (WCU) 6-1 
3. Alexa Griffith/Grace Thomas (FUR) def. Angela Perez/Madison Schwarz (WCU) 7-5

Match Notes: Western Carolina 5-6, 0-1 • Furman 7-2, 1-0; National ranking #40
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,5,6,2,1,3)