April 8, 2008

Agate

GREENVILLE, S.C. - The 66th-ranked Furman women's tennis team earned a 6-1 win over Wofford to claim the annual Pinson Trophy Challenge for the fourth consecutive year as the Paladins celebrated senior day at their last home match of the season.

Furman took the early lead with a sweep of the doubles matches. At the top spot, the team of Laura Gioia and Natasa Manojlovic topped Merry Ellen Henry and Laura Lynn Williams by a score of 8-5. In the number two spot, Monica Arguello and Lauren Osborne blanked Adriane Hodges and Cayley Wetzig, while Jessica Preeg and Jennifer Betts defeated Sonia Anand and Haley Baird 8-5 in the number three spot.

The Paladins earned quick victories at the one, two, and three spots to claim the match. At the top spot, junior Laura Gioia blanked Merry Ellen Henry 6-0, 6-0. At flight two, freshman Monica Arguello defeated Adriane Hodges 6-1, 6-1, and senior Lauren Osborne claimed a 6-0, 6-0 win over Sabrina Smyers in the last home match of her career.

With the win, the Paladins improve to 14-5 overall and 7-0 in league play, while Wofford falls to 12-5 and 4-3 in the Southern Conference.

Furman will travel to Western Carolina on Wednesday. If the Paladins defeat the Catamounts, they will claim at least a share of the Southern Conference regular season championship.