Furman’s Lillie Murphy named SoCon player of the week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s Lillie Murphy has been named the Southern Conference women’s tennis player of the week for all matches played from March 17-23, the conference announced on Tuesday. The award is selected by the league office.

Murphy, who also won the honor on Jan. 20 and March 10, went 2-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles for Furman last week. In a 6-0 in at Western Carolina on March 19, the freshman competed at the No. 1 spot in singles and doubles, winning 6-2, 6-1, over Mariya Dobreva, and joining teammate Elle Warren for a 6-2 victory. The product of Knoxville, Tennessee, got a 6-0, 6-1, win at the No. 2 spot as Furman defeated UNCG, 7-0, on March 21. Murphy and Warren, who are ranked 31st nationally in doubles, combined for a 6-3 win in doubles against the Spartans.

Furman travels to Mercer on March 24, before returning home to face Samford on March 29.

Also nominated: Mariangel Estrella (ETSU), Sofiya Tsitavets (Mercer), Lauren Thomson (UNCG), and Jordan Fenton (Chattanooga)

2026 SoCon Women’s Tennis Players of the Week
Jan. 20             Lillie Murphy, Fr., Furman

Jan. 27             Elle Warren, Fr., Furman

Feb. 3               Eleni Liakonis, So., Samford

Feb. 10             Addison Iacono, Fr., Chattanooga

Feb. 17             Mariya Dobreva, So., Western Carolina

Feb. 24             Savannah Presson, So., Chattanooga

March 3            Ksenija Rage, So., ETSU

March 10          Lillie Murphy, Fr., Furman

March 17          Rufaro Magarira, So., Chattanooga

March 24          Lillie Murphy, Fr., Furman