ELON, N.C. – Furman – the seven-time defending Southern Conference champion – opened league play with a 7-0 women’s tennis victory over Elon Saturday afternoon at The Olde Forest Racquet Club.

The Lady Paladins (6-5 overall, 1-0 Southern Conference) swept all nine matches from the Phoenix (6-6, 1-2). The contest began at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center on the Elon campus, but was moved indoors due to thunderstorms early in singles play.

In doubles action, the No. 28 team of Laura Gioia and Marti Morris decisioned Evin Prelec and Kelly Fleck 8-4 at No. 1, Lauren Osborne and Jacqueline Eckert toppled Elizabeth Kernodle and Melissa Holland 8-5 at No. 2 and Shannon Moore and Lisa Bornt-Davis downed Whitney Butcher and Alli Benton 8-3 at No. 3.

Furman received singles wins from Gioia (6-1, 6-0 over Prelec) at No. 1, Morris (7-6 (5), 6-1 over Fleck) at No. 2, Osborne (6-1, 6-0 over Kernodle) at No. 3, Moore (6-1, 6-2 over Butcher) at No. 4, Bonnie Baird (6-1, 6-2 over Holland) at No. 5 and Lauren Tomory (6-1, 6-0 over Benton) at No. 6.

The Lady Paladins visit UNC Greensboro at 11 a.m. Sunday while Elon will visit the Spartans at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

– ELON –

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