GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman cruised past Samford, 5-2, Sunday in an ITA College Tennis Weekend Contest at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.

The 66th-ranked Paladins improve to 12-4 overall and 4-0 in league matches, while the Bulldogs fall to 11-7 overall and 2-1 in the SoCon. 

After the teams split doubles matches at flights one and two, Furman freshmen Lily Doherty and Molly Robinson squeaked out a 7-6(4) victory over Cathy Cardona-Carballosa and Laila Fishman at flight three to secure the opening point for the Paladins.  Freshmen Lillie Murphy and Elle Warren, who rank 31st nationally, blew past Lea Erenda and Sara Erenda, 6-1, at number one, and Samford's Eleni Liakonis and Hailey Troup defeated freshman Bianca Ceroni and junior Macy Hitchcock, 7-5, at flight two.  

The Paladins won four out of six singles matches, all in straight sets.  Murphy held off Sara Erenda, 6-2, 7-5, at flight one, and Murphy blew past Lea Erenda, 6-0, 6-1, at flight two.  At number three, Hitchock topped Liakonis, 6-2, 7-5, and at number five, Robinson defeated Cardona-Carballosa, 6-0, 6-4.  

The Bulldogs scored at flights four and six.  At number four, Fishman scored a 6-2, 6-4 advantage over Fishman, and Troup prevailed at number six, 7-5, 6-7(8), 1-0(10-6), over Doherty. 

Furman will entertain Wofford Tuesday at 3 p.m.  The winner of the 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.

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#66 Furman vs. Samford • 03/29/2026 • at Greenville, S.C. (Mickel Tennis Center)
#66 Furman 5, Samford 2
Singles competition
1. Elle Warren (FUR) def. Sara Erenda (SAM) 6-2, 7-5
2. Lillie Murphy (FUR) def. Lea Erenda (SAM) 6-0, 6-1
3. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Eleni Liakonis (SAM) 6-2, 7-5
4. Laila Fishman (SAM) def. Bianca Ceroni (FUR) 6-2, 6-4
5. Molly Robinson (FUR) def. Cardona-Carballosa (SAM) 6-0, 6-4
6. Hailey Troup (SAM) def. Lily Doherty (FUR) 7-5, 6-7 (8-10), 1-0 (10-6)

Doubles competition
1. #31 Lillie Murphy/Elle Warren (FUR) def. Lea Erenda/Sara Erenda (SAM) 6-1
2. Eleni Liakonis/Hailey Troup (SAM) def. Bianca Ceroni/Macy Hitchcock (FUR) 7-5
3. Lily Doherty/Molly Robinson (FUR) def. Cardona-Carballosa/Laila Fishman (SAM) 7-6 (7-4)

Match Notes: Samford 11-7 • Furman 12-4; National ranking #66
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,5,3,4,1,6) T-3:45