December 1, 2000

FURMAN WOMEN'S TENNIS COACH TO RECEIVE HONOR

GREENVILLE, S.C.-- Furman women's tennis coach Debbie Southern will receive the 2000 South Carolina Tennis Association (SCTA) Coach of the Year award this Saturday at the SCTA annual meeting at Kiawah Island.

Southern, a six-time Southern Conference Coach of the Year and 1991 recipient of the SCTA Coach of the Year award, led her Lady Paladins to a third straight Southern Conference tournament championship last season. To cap off the 2000 campaign, the Furman women's tennis team also made its second straight appearance in the NCAA tournament.

This year will be Southern's 18th season at the helm of the women's tennis program. She currently holds a 213-165 career record and is the winningest coach in Furman women's tennis history.

Furman women's tennis will open the season January 27th at home against UNC Charlotte and Winthrop.