SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s Katarina Kozarov has been named the Southern Conference women’s tennis player of the week for all matches played Jan. 11-20, the conference office announced Tuesday. Kozarov, a senior, is 3-0 in singles, all at the No. 1 spot, and earned wins over two ranked opponents. Overall, Furman is off to a 2-2 start, defeating both Davidson and USC Upstate 7-0 and falling 5-2 at No. 8 NC State and 4-3 against Georgia Tech. 
 
Kozarov, the two-time defending SoCon Player of the Year, started the season with a 6-2, 6-3 win over NC State’s Anna Rogers, ranked No. 18 nationally in singles, on Jan. 15. Three days later, Kozarov downed Georgia Tech’s Kenya Jones, ranked No. 53 nationally, 6-2, 6-4. On Jan. 20, the native of Novi Sad, Serbia, defeated Davidson’s Alexandra Abele 6-0, 6-2.
 
In doubles play, Kozarov played at No. 2 with MaryAnn Rompf against NC State, falling 4-6. The duo rebounded to pick up its first win of the young season, 6-3 at Georgia Tech. In the next two matches, against Davidson and USC Upstate on Jan. 20, Kozarov played at No. 1 with teammate Julia Adams. The duo, ranked No. 30, led 5-4 before the doubles point was clinched against the Wildcats and then cruised to a 6-2 win against the Spartans’ top pair.
 
Furman is back in action on Jan. 25-26, taking part in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend in Athens, Georgia. The Paladins will square off with Notre Dame on Jan. 25 and face either Georgia or Michigan State the next day.
 
Also nominated: Grace Jennings (Samford), Emma Van Hee (Chattanooga) and Lilie Steryous (Wofford).
 
SoCon Women’s Tennis Players of the Week
Jan. 21 – Katarina Kozarov, Furman