Samford University
DAVIDSON
Shorthanded Bulldogs Nearly Pull Off Upset Victory Of Davidson, 4-3
3.29.09 | Women's Tennis
March 29, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Despite competing shorthanded with only five players Sunday, the Samford women's tennis team nearly picked up a Southern Conference upset victory against the Davidson Wildcats at the Samford Tennis Center. The Bulldogs won the doubles point, but came up short in singles play in the 4-3 loss.
Samford (4-8, 1-3 SoCon) was forced to default in both the No. 3 doubles match and the No. 6 singles competition. Despite the disadvantage, the Bulldogs earned the doubles point with lopsided victories on courts No. 1 and No. 2.
Since Feb. 25, Samford has been competing without the services of starters Lindsey Mallory and Rebecca Kirven. Both players suffered leg injuries and are currently rehabbing in order to return to action later this season.
In Sunday's No. 1 doubles competition, Samford's combination of Taylor Morgan and Stephanie Parkison rallied past Davidson's duo of Virginia Berry and Michele Fanney, 8-4, while the Bulldogs' pair of Andrie Meiring and Jessica Diamond cruised to an 8-2 victory on court No. 2.
Samford's doubles tandem of Diamond and Meiring remained undefeated on the season and extended its winning streak to seven-consecutive matches.
Following the Bulldogs' dominant performance in doubles play, Davidson (8-8, 3-2 SoCon) rebounded with a stellar outing of its own in the singles competition.
The Wildcats earned initial victories on courts No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6, while the Bulldogs' Morgan dominated Fanney in the No. 1 singles match, 6-0, 6-3, and Parkison breezed to a straight-set win against Alison Rauh on court No. 3, 6-2, 6-4.
With the overall score of the match deadlocked at 3-3, all eyes were focused on the No. 2 singles contest between Samford's Meiring and Davidson's Berry.
Meiring, the Bulldogs' talented sophomore from Stellenbosch, South Africa, won the first set 6-4, but the Wildcats' Berry rallied from behind to win the final two frames 7-5, 6-1. The setback was only Meiring's second loss in her previous six outings.
With Berry's singles victory, Davidson was able to hold on for the 4-3 win.
The Samford women's tennis team will next be in action on Wednesday as the Bulldogs travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., for another key SoCon matchup against the Chattanooga Lady Mocs.
