FURMAN DEFEATS SOCON FOE UTC 5-2

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Furman men's tennis team is ranked 62nd in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), but that didn't stop Chattanooga from trying its best to hand the team its first Southern Conference loss this season. The Paladins, however, prevailed and beat the Mocs 5-2 at the UTC Tennis Complex on a warm Saturday afternoon.

Furman swept the doubles matches to claim the first point. No. 1 doubles team John Chesworth and James Cameron, ranked #22 by the ITA, defeated Jason Ontog and Tim Kutschera 8-5. Andrew Rogers and Peter Netzler beat Chattanooga's Fabian Bechara and James Dickerson 8-5 at No. 2 while Furman's Chris Henderson and Allen Simmons completed the sweep at No. 3 downing Kyle True and John Hangstefer 8-4.

Down one point, Chattanooga won the first two singles matches to go up one point on the Paladins, but it was all the points the Mocs would gain in the conference loss. UTC's Kutschera made quick work of Ryan McCarthy beating him in straight sets 6-1, 6-2. Bechara remained undefeated at 7-0 in the league defeating Patrick Gaughan 6-3, 6-2 for Chattanooga's second point.

Furman's John Chesworth, ranked 44th by the ITA, handed Ontog his first conference loss. Furman won the remaining three matches in three sets apiece for the win.

Chattanooga is 10-10 overall and 7-2 in the SoCon. Furman is 9-11 overall and 6-0 in the league. The women's teams will meet Sunday at noon at the UTC Tennis Complex. The Lady Paladins are ranked 63rd by the ITA and No. 1 singles player Megan Dunigan is ranked 59th.

Furman 5, Chattanooga 2

Doubles:

1. #22 Chesworth/Cameron (FUR) def. Ontog/Kutschera (UTC), 8-5
2. Rogers/Netzler (FUR) def. Bechara/Dickerson (UTC), 8-5
3. Henderson/Simmons (FUR) def. Kyle True/Hangstefer (UTC), 8-4

Singles:

1. #44 John Chesworth (FUR) def. Jason Ontog (UTC), 7-6, 6-4
2. James Cameron (FUR) def. John Hangstefer (UTC), 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
3. Chris Henderson (FUR) def. Thomas Knizat (UTC), 6-7, 7-6, 6-1
4. Fabian Bechara (UTC) def. Patrick Gaughan (FUR), 6-3, 6-2
5. Patrick Fillnow (FUR) def. Alex Mabred (UTC), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
6. Tim Kutschera (UTC) def. Ryan McCarthy (FUR), 6-1, 6-2