CHARLESTON, S.C.-- The Furman men's tennis team held off a tough College of Charleston squad 4-3 in a Southern Conference showdown this afternoon in Charleston. The win moves the Paladins to 3-11 overall and 2-0 in league play.

Furman began the day by sweeping the Cougars in doubles action. At No. 1, Furman's John Chesworth and James Cameron, the 23rd-ranked duo in the nation, defeated Charleston's Henrico DuPlessis and Lee VanValkenburg, 8-3. Paladins Andrew Rogers and Peter Netzler then finished off Eyal Omid and Clay Gates at No. 2, 8-4, while Furman's Chris Henderson and Allen Simmons beat Phillip Koller and Nicky Buys 8-6 at No. 3.

With Furman leading the match 1-0 after the Paladins took the doubles point, Charleston battled back in singles action. At No. 3, Omid defeated Henderson in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5, while Buys beat Furman's Ryan McCarthy at the No. 6 slot, 6-2, 7-6.

Down 2-1, Furman answered by winning three-set matches at the Nos. 1, 2, and 5 singles positions to clinch the match. At No. 1, Chesworth defeated Charleston's Sagi Zakin, 5-7, 7-5, 7-5, while Cameron beat DuPlessis at No. 2, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Furman's Patrick Fillnow won his match at the No. 5 spot, 4-6, 6-0, 6-4.

Charleston earned its third point at the No. 4 singles slot, where Cougar Thorben Kolk defeated Patrick Gaughan in three sets, 7-6, 1-6, 7-5.

Furman will look to extend its two match winning streak when the Paladins visit the Charlotte 49ers on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

Furman 4, College of Charleston 3
March 17, 2002
Singles Results
1. John Chesworth (Furman) def. Sagi Zakin (COC), 5-7, 7-5, 7-5
2. James Cameron (Furman) def. Henrico DuPlessis (COC), 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
3. Eyal Omid (COC) def. Chris Henderson (Furman), 7-5, 7-5
4. Thorben Kolk (COC) def. Patrick Gaughan (Furman), 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
5. Patrick Fillnow (Furman) def. Philipp Koller (COC), 4-6, 6-0, 6-4
6. Nicky Buys (COC) def. Ryan McCarthy (Furman), 6-2, 7-6
Doubles Results
1. No. 23 Cameron/Chesworth (Furman) def. DuPlessis/Lee VanValkenburg (COC), 8-3
2. Andrew Rogers/Peter Netzler (Furman) def. Omid/Clay Gates (COC), 8-4
3. Henderson/Allen Simmons (Furman) def. Koller/Buys (COC), 8-6