CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- No. 39 Furman remained unbeaten in Southern Conference play with a 6-1 victory over Chattanooga at Strang-Voges Tennis Center on Sunday.
With the win, the Paladins improve to 16-3 overall and 5-0 in league play, while Chattanooga moves to 10-10 overall and 1-5 in the SoCon.
Furman won a hard-fought doubles point to start the match. Senior Jess Dawson and sophomore Macy Hitchcock scored a quick 6-3 decision over Madlena Orlova and Savannah Presson at flight two to give the Paladins an advantage, but matches at flight one and flight three both came down to a tiebreaker. The Mocs' Alice Hall and Rozalie Dohnalova held off 72nd-ranked seniors Ellie Schulson and Sara Snyder, 7-6(3), at flight one to set up a decisive number three contest, where seniors Alexa Griffith and Grace Thomas came from behind to defeat Emma Pedretti and Margaret Manolache, 7-6(5), for the point.
In singles action, the Paladins won five of six matches, claiming three in straight sets. Snyder held on to beat Dohnalova, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(10), at flight one, and Dawson topped Orlova, 7-6(4), 6-1, at number two. At flight three, Schulson blew past Presson, 6-0, 6-2, and Hitchcock downed Pedretti, 6-3, 6-4, at number four. Thomas outlasted Zara Burns, 6-2, 4-6, 10-8, at number five to complete the Furman scoring.
The Mocs won at flight six, where Hall defeated Griffith, 6-2, 6-4.
Furman will travel to Wofford Wednesday for a noon contest in Spartanburg. The winner of Wednesday's match will be awarded the yearly Pinson Cup by Bobby and Dixie Pinson, beloved friends of both the Furman and Wofford programs. The couple has given a beautiful trophy, which stays with the winning school until the winner of the next season's match is determined, and a generous donation in honor of this rivalry. The Paladins have been awarded the trophy each year since its inception in 2005.
No. 39 Furman at Chattanooga • 04/06/2025 at Chattanooga, Tenn. • Strang-Voges Tennis Center
#39 Furman 6, Chattanooga 1
Singles competition
1. Sara Snyder (FUR) def. Rozalie Dohnalova (UTC) 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (12-10)
2. Jess Dawson (FUR) def. Madlena Orlova (UTC) 7-6 (7-4), 6-0
3. Ellie Schulson (FUR) def. Savannah Presson (UTC) 6-0, 6-2
4. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Emma Pedretti (UTC) 6-3, 6-4
5. Grace Thomas (FUR) def. Zara Burns (UTC) 6-2, 4-6, 10-8
6. Alice Hall (UTC) def. Alexa Griffith (FUR) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Alice Hall/Rozalie Dohnalova (UTC) def. #72 Ellie Schulson/Sara Snyder (FUR) 7-6 (7-3)
2. Jess Dawson/Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Madlena Orlova/Savannah Presson (UTC) 6-3
3. Alexa Griffith/Grace Thomas (FUR) def. Emma Pedretti/Margaret Manolache (UTC) 7-6 (7-5)
Match Notes: Furman 16-3, 5-0 SoCon; National ranking #39 • Chattanooga 10-10, 1-5 SoCon
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,2,4,6,5,1) T-3:49 A-24
