March 11, 2004

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford men's tennis team came up with a huge 7-0 victory over Alabama A&M Thursday afternoon at the Darwin C. Hardison Tennis Center. Samford (6-4) won the doubles point in dramatic fashion and carried over the momentum into singles for the sweep.

"I fully expected this match to be much closer," Head coach Kemper Baker said. "It was a lot closer than the score will indicate, but our guys came out and played amazing this afternoon. We have not played well at home all year so this was a nice victory at our place."

Samford won two-of-three doubles matches to clinch the early 1-0 lead. Stuart Misner and Rob Nunnery won 8-3 on court three. In a great 8-6 match on court one, James Bryce and Johnny Griffee defeated Willis Mbandi and Sammy Muriuki to give Samford the doubles point.

Samford swept all six singles matches for the first time since the opening match of the season. Manuel Miletic won with realitve ease on court one, 6-4, 6-1. While on court two, James Bryce broke out of a slump with an impressive 6-4, 2-6, 10-6 win. Freshman Stuart Misner continued to impress with a 6-2, 6-4 victory on court three, as did freshman Rob Nunnery on court four, 6-3, 6-0. Johnny Griffee upped his season record to 9-2, with a 6-2, 7-5 victory at No. 5. Reigning Ohio Valley Conference Athlete of the Week Bradley Weaver won on court six 6-2, 6-2.

"Tennessee-Martin is our last OVC match at home this season," Baker said. "It is real important to pick up another win before we head back out on the road for a lot of key matches."

Samford returns to Ohio Valley Conference action tomorrow afternoon against Tennessee-Martin. The match will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Darwin C. Hardison Tennis Center and is a doubleheader with the Samford women.

Samford 7 Alabama A&M 0

Doubles:
1. Bryce/Griffee d. Mbandi/Muriuki (AAMU) 8-6
2. Turnquest/Nyagura (AAMU) d. Miletic/Weaver (SU) 8-2
3. Misner/Nunnery (SU) d. Jattan/Piggott (AAMU) 8-3

Singles:
1. Manuel Miletic (SU) d. Jadrian Turnquest (AAMU) 6-4, 6-1
2. James Bryce (SU) d. Willis Mbandi (AAMU) 6-4, 2-6, 10-6
3. Stuart Misner (SU) d. Sammy Muriuki (AAMU) 6-2, 6-4
4. Rob Nunnery (SU) d. Hassan Jattan (AAMU) 6-3, 6-0
5. Johnny Griffee (SU) d. Shingirayi Nyagura (AAMU) 6-2, 7-5
6. Bradley Weaver (SU) d. Adande Piggott (AAMU) 6-2, 6-2