GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Samford women's tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision in a Southern Conference rivalry match at Furman Sunday at Mickel Tennis Center. The loss moves the Bulldogs to 10-8 overall and 2-2 in league play.

The doubles point proved pivotal for the match outcome. Furman struck first at No. 1, with Lillie Murphy and Elle Warren defeating Lea Erenda and Sara Erenda 6-1. Eleni Liakonis and Hailey Troup gave Samford a lift at No. 2, earning a 7-5 victory over Bianca Ceroni and Macy Hitchcock. The decisive point came down to No. 3, where Cathy Cardona-Carballosa and Laila Fishman dropped a 7-6 (7-4) tiebreak to Lily Doherty and Molly Robinson, giving Furman the 1-0 lead.

Furman's control at the top of the singles lineup set the tone, as the Paladins swept positions one through three. Sara Erenda fell to Warren 6-2, 7-5 at No. 1, while Murphy claimed the match's most decisive victory over Lea Erenda 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2. Hitchcock bested Eleni Liakonis 6-2, 7-5 at No. 3. Laila Fishman provided a response for Samford at No. 4, winning 6-2, 6-4 over Ceroni. At No. 5, Cathy Cardona-Carballosa was edged by Robinson 6-0, 6-4. The most dramatic battle came at No. 6, where Hailey Troup rallied through a final-set tiebreak to defeat Doherty 7-5, 6-7 (8-10), 1-0 (10-6), notching Samford's second point.

With the defeat, Samford falls to 3-6 in true road matches and 0-6 in contests decided by three or more points this season. 

The Bulldogs travel to Johnson City, Tenn., for a Southern Conference match up against East Tennessee State University on Friday, April 3 at 1 p.m.

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