April 23, 2004

FURMAN TENNIS TEAMS ADVANCE IN SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

CHARLESTON, South Carolina -- The Furman men’s and women’s tennis teams advanced to the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament with wins over the Georgia Southern Eagles Friday. The Lady Paladins came away with a 4-1 win, while the men won by a score of 4-0.

The Lady Paladins dropped the doubles point to a conference opponent for the first time this season after losing two of the three matches. Furman bounced back with four quick victories to take the match 4-1. At No. 1 Mary Neill Hagood downed Ciara Fiuucane 6-4, 6-1 and in No. 2 singles Shannon Moore defeated Charlotte Bruneteaux 6-3, 6-3. In flight four Caroline Bentley eased by Krystel Sauvageau 6-2, 6-1 and at No. 6 Bonnie Baird downed Heather Reynolds 6-4, 6-0 to seal the match.

In afternoon action, the Furman men took the early 1-0 lead, winning two of three matches. After splitting the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles matches Furman’s duo of John Chesworth and Patrick Fillnow battled back from an 0-5 deficit to take the match in a tie breaker 9-8(7). The Paladins then picked up singles wins from Ben Pauluhn, John Chesworth, and Kevin Lackey to seal the match.

The Lady Paladins take on Chattanooga tomorrow at 1:00, while the men take on the winner of the College of Charleston/Wofford match tomorrow at 10:30. Both matches will be played at Earle Tennis Center.

Men
Furman 4, Georgia Southern 0
Singles
1. John Chesworth (FUR) def. Doruk Baglan (GSU) 6-4, 6-2
2. Patrick Fillnow (FUR) vs. Vincent Patry (GSU) DNF
3. Allen Simmons (FUR) vs. Danie van den Heever (GSU) DNF
4. Ben Pauluhn (FUR) def. Lasha Janashia (GSU) 7-6, 6-4
5. Greg Maarschalk (FUR) vs. Stephen Dubienski (GSU) DNF
6. Kevin Lackey (FUR) def. Charles-henri Trottet (GSU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Doubles
1. Chesworth/Fillnow (FUR) def. van den Heever (GSU) 9-8 (7)
2. Janasha/Baglan (GSU) def. Simmons/Brian Crook (FUR) 8-4
3. Maarchalk/Pauluhn (FUR) def. Germano Knorr/Tom Green (GSU) 8-3

Women
Furman 4, Georgia Southern 1
Singles
1. Mary Neill Hagood (FUR) def. Ciara Finucane (GSU) 6-4, 6-1
2. Shannon Moore (FUR) def. Charlotte Bruneteaux (GSU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Jacqueline Eckert (FUR) vs. Szilvia Zsakay (GSU) DNF
4. Caroline Bentley (FUR) def. Krystal Sauvageau (GSU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Marti Morris (FUR) vs. Amy Pazahanick (GSU) DNF
6. Bonnie Baird (FUR) def. Heather Reynolds (GSU) 6-4, 6-0

Doubles
1. Finucane/Zsakay (GSU) def. Bentley/Eckert (FUR) 9-7
2. Hagood/Mooris (FUR) def. Pazahanick/Kim Wollett (GSU) 8-5
3. Bruneteaux/Sauvegeau (GSU) def. Moore/Lisa Bornt-Davis (FUR) 8-5