Samford 7, UAB 0
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- The Samford University women's tennis team remained undefeated at home this season Wednesday as the Bulldogs earned a dominating 7-0 victory against the UAB Blazers at the Samford Tennis Center.
With the win, Samford (6-2) tallied its second straight victory against a Conference USA opponent and improved its record at home to 5-0. On Saturday, the Bulldogs began its current three-match homestand with a 5-2 win over Southern Miss.
Samford's only losses this season have occurred on the road against Memphis and 68th-ranked Mississippi State.
UAB (4-2) had its four-match winning streak snapped Wednesday. Prior to their meeting with Samford, the Blazers had reeled off consecutive victories against Charlotte 4-1, Arkansas State 5-2, Jacksonville State 5-2 and Southern Miss 4-3. UAB's only other loss this season came on the road versus 25th-ranked Alabama.
In Wednesday's 7-0 victory, Samford swept the doubles matches to take an early 1-0 lead. On court No. 2, the Bulldogs' combination of Rebecca Kirven and Andrie Meiring improved its record on the season to 5-2 with an 8-5 win against the Blazers' Brittany DeFelice and Giorgia Romeo.
Samford also cruised to victory in singles play by winning all six matches in straight sets.
On court No. 1, the Bulldogs' Taylor Morgan earned a 6-2, 6-1 triumph against Paula Alvarez, while Meiring tallied a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Romeo in the No. 2 singles match. Samford's Madelie Janse van Rensburg cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win on court No.3, while senior Stephanie Parkison notched a 6-2, 6-1 victory against DeFelice in the No. 4 singles contest.
Kirven, the Bulldogs' sophomore from Windermere, Fla., remained undefeated in singles play this season Wednesday as she tallied a 6-2, 7-5 win over UAB's Jenny Cape. In the matchup on court No. 6, Samford's Lindsey Mallory streaked to a 6-1, 6-0 victory against the Blazers' Richole Berger.
The Samford women's tennis team will next be in action Saturday at 10 a.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs begin Southern Conference play at home with a momentous matchup against the College of Charleston Cougars. Saturday's SoCon duel will be held at the Samford Tennis Center.
South Carolina 7, College of Charleston 0
COLUMBIA, S.C. - College of Charleston women's tennis battled its fourth nationally-ranked team of the season on Wednesday afternoon. The Cougars fell to 38th-ranked South Carolina, 7-0.
Senior Laura Borza made her first appearance for Charleston this season, pairing up with sophomore Caroline Newman for the third doubles spot. The duo earned the sole victory for the Cougars, defeating Rita Maisak and Anya Morgina, 8-5.
Junior Emma Hayman had the closest match of the singles competition, battling Dijana Stojic at the No.2 spot. Hayman forced both sets to extra points before eventually yielding a 7-6, 7-5 decision.
Top-seeded senior Holly Dowse and junior Kinsey Casey both faced nationally-ranked opponents in their singles matches. Dowse battled 66th-ranked Ana Marija Zubori, falling 6-0, 6-1 while Casey dropped a 6-1, 6-2 decision to No. 82 Anya Morgina at the No. 3 spot.
The loss snapped a three-game win streak the Cougars (3-4) had been riding since earning their first win over No. 62 Boston University on Jan. 31. The Gamecocks improved to 3-3 with the victory.
College of Charleston begins the conference portion of its schedule this weekend when the team travels to Birmingham, Ala. to face Samford at 10 a.m. on Friday. The Cougars follow will then visit Chattanooga on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match with the Lady Mocs.