GREENVILLE, S.C.- The Furman men's tennis team advanced to the Southern Conference tennis championship this afternoon with a thrilling 4-1 win against fourth seeded Chattanooga. The Paladins move to 18-9 on the season, and will face the winner of the East Tennessee State-UNC Greensboro match tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. at the Earle Tennis Center at The Citadel.

The Paladins opened the match by winning two of three doubles matches, thus earning the doubles point. Sophomores James Cameron and John Chesworth were 8-5 winners against Jason Ontog and Jesse Koti at No. 1, while Paladins Andrew Rogers and Patrick Fillnow emerged victorious at No. 2, 8-3.

Furman's lone doubles loss came at No. 3, where Chris Henderson and Charlie Lloyd dropped an 8-4 decision to John Hangstefer and Fabian Bechara.

Chattanooga then evened the match at 1-1 as Ontog, the Southern Conference Player of the Year, handed Furman's Lee Nickell a convincing 6-1, 6-1 loss at No. 1 singles. Furman rebounded at No. 2 singles as Cameron put Chattanooga's Koti away on his fourth match point opportunity to win 6-4, 7-6 (7). Chesworth continued Furman’s momentum by overcoming a first set deficit against Hangstefer to escape with a straight set victory at No. 3, 7-6, 6-3. Fillnow then clinched the victory for the Paladins as he rebounded from a second set collapse to win at No. 6 singles, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1.

The victory marks the 699th win for coach Paul Scarpa, who currently stands as the fourth winningest coach in college tennis history. With a win tomorrow, he would become only the fourth coach to reach 700 victories in a career. Furman will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament with a win tomorrow.

Furman 4, Chattanooga 1
April 21, 2001
Singles Results
1. Jason Ontog (Chatt.) def. Lee Nickell (Furman) 6-1, 6-1
2. James Cameron (Furman) def. Jesse Koti (Chatt.) 6-4, 7-6 (7)
3. John Chesworth (Furman) def. John Hangstefer (Chatt.) 7-6, 6-3
4. Patrick Gaughan (Furman) vs. Fungai Munjanja (Chatt.) DNF
5. Chris Henderson (Furman) vs. Fabian Bechara (Chatt.) DNF
6. Patrick Fillnow (Furman) def. James Dickerson (Chatt.) 6-1, 4-6, 6-1
Doubles Results
1. Cameron-Chesworth (Furman) def. Ontog-Koti (Chatt.) 8-5
2. Fillnow-Andrew Rogers (Furman) def. Munjanja-Brandon Abney (Chatt.) 8-3
3. Hangstefer-Bechara (Chatt.) def. Henderson-Charlie Lloyd (Furman) 8-4