Lady Paladins Move Into Finals With 4-1 Victory Over East Tennessee State

April 23, 2005

Charleston, SC - The Furman women's tennis team advanced to the Southern Conference finals after a 4-1 victory over East Tennessee State Saturday morning in Charleston, SC. With the win the Lady Paladins improve to 21-3 on the year dropping the Buccaneers to 18-7.

The Bucs took the early 1-0 advantage after winning two of the three doubles matches. Furman bounced back in singles play capturing the first four matches to seal the 4-1 victory. At No.1 Mary Neill Hagood defeated Sandie Knight 6-1, 6-1 and in flight two Caroline Bentley ousted Masha Ilyina 7-5, 6-0. Shannon Moore picked up a 6-3, 7-5 win over Sylwia Ziolkkowska at No.3 and in the final match Lauren Osborne hit her way past Gemma Halim 6-1, 6-2 in flight six.

The Lady Paladins will play for the Southern Conference Championship and a bid to the NCAA Tournament Sunday against the winner of the Davidson/College of Charleston match. The championship begins at 10:30 at the Earle Tennis Center on The Citadel's campus in Charleston, SC.

Singles

1. Mary Neill Hagood (FU) def. Sandie Knight (ETSU), 6-1, 6-1

2. Caroline Bentley (FU) def. Masha Ilyina (ETSU), 7-5, 6-0

3. Shannon Moore (FU) def. Sylwia Ziolkkowska, 6-3, 7-5

4. Jacqueline Eckert (FU) vs. Olya Batsula (ETSU), DNF

5. Marti Morris (FU) vs. Elena Volobueva (ETSU), DNF

6. Lauren Osborne (FU) def. Gemma Halim (ETSU), 6-1, 6-2

Doubles

1. Bentley/Hagood (FU) def. Ilyina/Ziolkowska (ETSU) 8-1

2. Knight/Volobueva (ETSU) def. Morris/Osborne (FU) 9-8

3. Batsula/Halim (ETSU) def. Bornt-Davis/Moore (FU) 8-5