Jan. 24, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s No. 21 women’s tennis squad travels to Greenville, S.C., on Tuesday to face the Furman Paladins at 4 p.m.

The Gamecocks enter the match-up seeking their 27th consecutive victory against the Paladins, a streak that began in 1978. South Carolina pulled off a 6-1 victory in its first match of the year Saturday hosting South Carolina State. Tuesday marks the first contest of the year for Furman.

Carolina had several impressive performances versus South Carolina State. In doubles, freshman Dominika Kanakova and junior Dijana Stojic teamed up to clinch the doubles point at the No. 1 spot with an 8-3 triumph. The Gamecocks’ two Russians, junior Anya Morgina and freshman Katerina Popova, combined for an 8-3 win as well at the No. 2 spot. SCSU forfeited the third position due to injuries in its lineup.

Kanakova clinched the match for South Carolina, winning 6-1, 6-3 on court four. Sophomore Madeleine Saari-Byström won first in singles with a quick 6-1, 6-1 victory. Stojic and sophomore Josefin Andersson also snagged victories for the Gamecocks. For Andersson, it was her first collegiate match since suffering a season-ending rupture in her Achilles against Clemson last season.

Furman returns seven players from last season’s team that posted a 16-8 overall record and an 8-2 mark in Southern Conference play. Head coach Debbie Southern guided the team to a berth in the championship match of the league tournament in 2010. The Paladins are looking for their 18th SoCon regular-season title in 2011.

Following Tuesday’s match, South Carolina will head to Coral Gables, Fla., to face No. 20 Arizona State in the first round of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend on Saturday, Jan. 29.