BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- No. 39 Furman topped Samford, 5-2, Saturday at the Samford Tennis Center. 

With the victory, the Paladins improve to 15-3 overall and 4-0 in league play, while Samford falls to 9-10  overall and 1-3 in the SoCon.

The Bulldogs won two out of three doubles matches to take the first point.  The teams split the first two contests, with Samford's Emily Surcey and Sara Erenda beating 72nd ranked seniors Sara Snyder and Ellie Schulson, 6-3, at flight one, and Furman senior Jess Dawson and sophomore Macy Hitchcock defeated Margaret Jaraczewski and Hailey Troup, 6-2, at number two.  In the decisive flight three match, Eleni Liakonis and Meredith Taylor teamed up for a 6-2 advantage over seniors Marissa Pennings and Alexa Griffith to score the point.

Furman won five out of six singles matches for the team victory.  Snyder blew past Surcey, 6-3, 6-3, in the top-seeded contest, and Jawson held on for a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 win against Liakonis at flight three.  At number four, Schulson made quick work of Taylor, winning 6-2, 6-0, and Hitchcock came from behind to defeat Erenda, 5-7, 7-3, 6-4.  Senior Grace Thomas entered the lineup at flight six, where she topped Libby Blair, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2. 

The Bulldogs scored at flight two singles, where Jaraczewski won, 3-6, 6-3, 5-4, when Pennings retired. 

Furman will face Chattanooga Sunday at 9 a.m. at McCallie School.

No. 39 Furman at Samford • 04/05/2025 at Birmingham, Ala. • Samford Tennis Center

#39 Furman 5, Samford 2
Singles competition
1. Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Emily Surcey (SAMW) 6-3, 6-3
2. Margaret Jaraczewski (SAMW) def. Marissa Pennings (FUR) 3-6, 6-3, 5-4, retired 
3. Jess Dawson (FUR) def. Eleni Liakonis (SAMW) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
4. Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Meredith Taylor (SAMW) 6-2, 6-0
5. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Sara Erenda (SAMW) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
6. Grace Thomas (FUR) def. Libby Blair (SAMW) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Emily Surcey/Sara Erenda (SAMW) def. #72 Sara Snyder/Ellie Schulson (FUR) 6-3
2. Jess Dawson/Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Margaret Jaraczewski/Hailey Troup (SAMW) 6-2
3. Eleni Liakonis/Meredith Taylor (SAMW) def. Marissa Pennings/Alexa Griffith (FUR) 6-2

Match Notes: Furman 15-3, 4-0 SoCon; National Rank 39 • Samford 9-10, 1-3 SoCon