GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman edged out Chattanooga, 4-3, Friday in the Paladins' home finale at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.

With the victory, the 72nd-ranked Paladins improve to 14-4 overall and 6-0 in league matches, setting up a showdown at East Tennessee State next Saturday between the SoCon's two undefeated teams, with the winner claiming the regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the league tournament.  The Mocs fall to 14-4 overall and 3-2 in the SoCon. 

Furman won all three doubles matches to take the opening point.  Freshmen Lillie Murphy and Elle Warren, who rank 38th nationally, defeated Addison Iacono and Rufaro Magarira, 6-2, at number one, and freshman Bianca Ceroni and junior Macy Hitchcock beat Emma Pedretti and Savannah Presson, 6-2, at flight two.  At number three, freshmen Sasha Dimitrov and Bianca Ceroni held off Jordan Fenton and Ella Mancuso, 6-4.

The Paladins won three singles matches to secure the team victory.  Murphy came back from a 5-0 deficit at flight one to down Iacono, 7-6(2), 7-5, and Hitchcock blew past Presson, 6-3, 6-1, at number three.  At flight six, Doherty topped Mancuso, 7-6(5), 6-2.

The Mocs scored at five when Fenton defeated Robinson, 6-2, 6-4, then was held scoreless until after the Paladins clinched the match.  Chattanooga picked up the final two points of the match at flights two and four.  Magarira came from behind for a 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Warren at number two, and Pedretti regrouped for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 advantage over Ceroni at flight four.

Furman will travel to Johnson City, Tenn., to square off at ETSU Saturday at 11 a.m. in the regular season finale.  

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Chattanooga vs Furman • 04/03/2026 at Greenville, S.C. • Mickel Tennis Center
#72 Furman 4, Chattanooga 3
Singles competition
1. Lillie Murphy (FUR) def. Addison Iacono (CHAT) 7-6 (7-2), 7-5
2. Rufaro Magarira (CHAT) def. Elle Warren (FUR) 2-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 
3. Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Savannah Presson (CHAT) 6-3, 6-1
4. Emma Pedretti (CHAT) def. Bianca Ceroni (FUR) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
5. Jordan Fenton (CHAT) def. Molly Robinson (FUR) 6-2, 6-4
6. Lily Doherty (FUR) def. Ella Mancuso (CHAT) 7-6 (7-5), 6-2

Doubles competition
1. #38 Lillie Murphy/Elle Warren (FUR) def. Addison Iacono/Rufaro Magarira (CHAT) 6-2
2. Bianca Ceroni/Macy Hitchcock (FUR) def. Emma Pedretti/Savannah Presson (CHAT) 6-2 
3. Sasha Dimitrov/Molly Robinson (FUR) def. Jordan Fenton/Ella Mancuso (CHAT) 6-4

Match Notes:  Chattanooga 14-4, 3-2 SoCon • Furman 14-4, 6-0 SoCon; National ranking #72 
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,5,1,6,4,2)