Gamecocks Set to Host Furman on Wednesday

Feb. 4, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The No. 33 South Carolina women’s tennis team will host the Furman Paladins on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Carolina Tennis Center in Columbia, S.C.

The Gamecocks look to extend their 3-1 start to the season against a Furman squad in which South Carolina has won 30 straight matches dating back to 1978. Carolina is coming off a 5-2 loss at No. 14 Virginia on Sunday, while the Paladins are 1-1 after a 7-0 loss at No. 10 Duke on Saturday.

Prior to their loss at No. 14 UVa, the Gamecocks recorded a 4-3 win over No. 44 VCU in Charlottesville, Va., to mark their fifth straight win over the Rams. In those five victories, four of the matches have been decided by one point. The Gamecocks secured the doubles point and then registered victories on courts two, four and six to get the win. Ximena Siles Luna clinched the match on court four with a straight set triumph.

Versus the Cavaliers, the Gamecocks lost a close doubles point. UVa’s top duo of Julia Elbaba and Rachel Pierson, ranked No. 8, won 7-5 at the top spot against Elixane Lechemia and Meghan Blevins. Virginia also took court three, while the Gamecocks had a 4-3 advantage on court two when play was stopped. In singles, Blevins scored a win at No. 5 singles in straight sets and Katerina Popova beat the highest ranked player of her career on court two with a 7-5, 4-6, (10-3) win versus No. 28 Danielle Collins.

After last weekend, Gamecock newcomer Caroline Dailey now leads the team in singles victories with a 10-5 record. Fellow freshman Brigit Folland is right behind her at 9-7. Lechemia and Siles Luna each have eight wins apiece. Blevins leads the squad in overall doubles victories as an individual with a 10-4 mark. She and Lechemia are the Gamecocks’ top duo at 6-3 overall.

After facing the Paladins, South Carolina hosts a doubleheader Sunday against Charleston Southern and Davidson at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.