March 5, 2004

CLARKESVILLE, Tenn. - In its first-ever match in the Ohio Valley Conference the Samford women's tennis team defeated Austin Peay (3-6, 0-2 OVC) 6-1, Friday afternoon in Clarkesville, Tenn. The Bulldogs (4-3, 1-0) swept the doubles matches and won five of the six singles matches for the victory.

"After the disappointment of losing close matches last weekend this is a huge victory for us," Head Coach Terri Sisk said. "We are all really excited to finally get the OVC season started and to make a statement right off the bat."

Katie Crawford and Emily Nunnally continued their dominance at No.1 doubles with an 8-5 victory; the duo is now 5-1 on the season. A pair of freshman, Sarah McKey and Emily White, improved to 4-2 on the season with an 8-6 victory at No. 2 doubles. The Bulldogs made it a clean sweep with Jen Pharr and Bethany Benson winning No.3 doubles 8-5, improving their season mark to 5-1.

Crawford had no problems at No. 1 singles with a 6-3, 6-3 victory to improve to 5-2 on the season. Coming back from injury which forced her to sit out the last match, Emily White won No. 3 singles 4-6, 6-0, 6-3. Sarah McKey was victorious in No. 4 singles with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory and Jen Pharr had no problem winning at No. 5 with a 6-2, 6-0 win. Bethany Benson remained undefeated at No. 6 singles, winning 8-1 in a super tiebreaker.

The Bulldogs will have no time off as they host Morehead State tomorrow, Saturday, March 6 at the Darwin C. Hardison Tennis Center. The match will be a doubleheader with the Samford men beginning at 12:00 p.m.

Samford 6 Austin Peay 1
Doubles:
1. Nunally/Crawford (SU) d. Hawk/Whelpley (AP) 8-5
2. McKey/White (SU) d. Mills/Carere (AP) 8-6
3. Benson/Pharr (SU) d. Tafolla/Rzezniczek (AP) 8-5

Singles:
1. Emily Nunnally (SU) d. Emily Mills (AP) 6-3, 6-3
2. Elizabeth Whelpley (AP) d. Katie Crawford (SU) 6-4, 6-1
3. Emily White (SU) d. Isabel Rzezniczek (AP) 4-6, 6-0, 6-3
4. Sarah McKey (SU) d. Jessica Hawk (AP) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
5. Jen Pharr (SU) d. Nicki Tafolla (AP) 6-2, 6-0
6. Bethany Benson (SU) d. Alana Carere (AP) 8-1