GREENVILLE, S.C. - The No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks defeated Furman, 6-1, in the Paladins' spring season opener Tuesday evening at the Mickel Tennis Center in Greenville, S.C.  Furman senior Monica Arguello, ranked 69^th nationally, defeated 37^th-ranked Anya Morgina, 6-4, 7-6(3) in the number one singles match to score for the Paladins.

The Gamecocks (2-0) jumped out to an early lead after sweeping the doubles matches to earn the doubles point.  Dijana Stojic teamed with Dominika Kanakova for an 8-3 win over sophomore Lauren Kline and freshman Margaret Boyette at number one doubles.  In the number two doubles match, Madeleine Saari-Bystrom and Josefin Andersson beat Arguello and freshman Amanda Murray, 8-5.  Anya Morgina and Katerina Popova defeated senior Jennifer Betts and freshman Katherine Oudin, 8-5, in the third doubles match-up.

In other singles action, Kline forced a three-match set versus 93^rd-ranked Stojic in the number two singles match, with Stojic coming out on top, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.  Saari-Bystrom defeated Oudin, 7-5, 6-1 at number three singles, and Kanakova beat Boyette, 7-6(6), 6-3 at number four singles.  In the fifth singles match, Murray forced a tie-breaker versus Andersson, with Anderson taking set one 6-2, then Murray winning the second set 6-2.  Anderson won the tie-breaker 11-9 for the victory.  At number six singles, Jocic defeated Paladin junior Susan Bitetti, 6-1, 6-3.

Furman (0-1) will return to action on February 5, when the Paladins play host to UNC Asheville at 1 p.m.