Oct. 21, 2005

MEMPHIS, Tenn. ---- The Samford University women's tennis team turned in a strong performance in the first day of The University of Memphis/Varsity Pro Shop Invitational, hosted by the University of Memphis on Friday.

Four Bulldogs netters advanced to the final rounds of their brackets, while two others advanced to semifinal rounds. Additionally, all four of Samford's doubles teams won their respective matches to advance.

Emily White defeated Ohio Valley Conference rival Drew Kristal of Southeast Missouri 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the Number 2 singles draw. White proceeded to win a thrilling semifinal match 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5) over Saint Louis's Katerina Lozanova.

After winning the first match of the Number 3 singles draw, Whitney Warren came from behind to defeat Murray State's Casady Pruitt 1-6, 6-0, 6-1 to advance to the championship round. Sara McKey advanced to the consolation finals of the Number 3 singles draw with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win over Tennessee-Martin's Jeanne de Wet.

Katie McMiller advanced to the Number 4 singles finals with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Murray State's Adriana Alvarez, and Bethany Benson defeated Saint Louis's Caitlin Bokulic and Tennessee Tech's Evgenia Yartseva to advance to the finals of the Number 5 Singles draw. Additionally, Christie Baker won 6-0, 6-0 over Southeast Missouri's Christie Baker to advance to the semifinal round of the Number 6 singles bracket.

The doubles team of Anna Jackson and McMiller won 9-7 over Feichtinger and Tjioe of host Memphis to advance to the semifinal round of the Number 2 doubles draw. Warren and Lauren Pitcher also advanced to the semifinals of the Number 3 draw after winning 9-7, defeating Georgia State's Knight and Wolken.

Match play continues on Saturday in Memphis, with the final and semifinal rounds of the doubles and singles draws.