GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Freshman Bianca Ceroni defeated Pauline Bruns, 6-0, 7-5, at flight five singles to clinch the match and lead Furman past Austin Peay, 5-2, Monday at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.

The Paladins won the top two doubles matches to take the opening point.  Freshmen Lillie Murphy and Sasha Dimitrov recorded a 6-2 advantage over Luca Bohlen and Yi-Ching Huang at number one, and Ceroni and freshman Elle Warren defeated Bruns and Elena Thiel, 6-1, at flight two.  The flight three match was unfinished with Austin Peay's Sophia Baranov and Clemence Butavand leading Furman junior Macy Hitchcock and freshman Molly Robinson, 5-2.

In singles action, Furman quickly collected wins at flights one and two.  Warren beat Baranov, 6-3, 6-4, at flight one, and Murphy blew past Bohlen, 6-2, 6-2, at number two, before the Governors (1-1) scored at flights three and four.  Huang posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Hitchcock at number three, and Butavand held off Dimitrov, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, at flight four to cut the deficit to 3-2.  

Ceroni scored the winning point at flight five, then Robinson came from behind to defeat Thiel, 4-6, 6-3, 1-0[10-5], for the Paladins' final point.

"We are so appreciative for the Furman family and community that came out and supported us this weekend," said head coach Michelle Dasso.  "Six of our seven players were competing in their first-ever dual matches, and they felt the love.  We take tremendous pride in our tennis facility, and the new indoor renovations look fantastic."

Furman (2-1) continues its homestand by entertaining Wake Forest and Davidson next weekend at the Mickel Tennis Center.  First serve versus the Demon Deacons is set for 11 a.m. on Saturday, and the Paladins will take on Davidson Sunday at 1 p.m.

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Austin Peay vs Furman • 01/19/2026 at Greenville, S.C. • Mickel Tennis Center
Furman 5, Austin Peay 2
Singles competition
1. Elle Warren (FUR) def. Sophia Baranov (AP) 6-3, 6-4
2. Lillie Murphy (FUR) def. Luca Bohlen (AP) 6-2, 6-2
3. Yi-Ching Huang (AP) def. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) 6-3, 6-4
4. Clemence Butavand (AP) def. Sasha Dimitrov (FUR) 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 
5. Bianca Ceroni (FUR) def. Pauline Bruns (AP) 6-0, 7-5
6. Molly Robinson (FUR) def. Elena Thiel (AP) 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5)

Doubles competition
1. Sasha Dimitrov/Lillie Murphy (FUR) def. Luca Bohlen/Yi-Ching Huang (AP) 6-2
2. Bianca Ceroni/Elle Warren (FUR) def. Pauline Bruns/Elena Thiel (AP) 6-1
3. Macy Hitchcock/Molly Robinson (FUR) vs. Sophia Baranov/Clemence Butavand (AP) 2-5, unfinished

Match Notes: Austin Peay 1-1, Furman 2-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (2,3,1,4,5,6) T-4:00