Samford University
Elon
Bulldogs Rally For 4-3 SoCon-Opening Victory Against Elon
2.26.11 | Women's Tennis
Feb. 26, 2011
ELON, N.C. - The 74th-ranked Samford University women's tennis team extended its winning streak to six-consecutive matches Saturday as the Bulldogs came from behind to earn a 4-3 triumph against the Elon Phoenix in the teams' Southern Conference opener held at The Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.
With the victory, Samford (6-0, 1-0 SoCon) remained undefeated this season and improved to 3-0 when playing on the road. Elon (4-5, 0-1 SoCon) dropped to 3-2 when playing at home this year. The Phoenix's only other loss at The Jimmy Powell Tennis Center came against South Carolina State 4-3 on Jan. 28.
Samford lost Saturday's doubles point and trailed early in the match by a score of 1-0. In the singles play, the Bulldogs received quick victories from Lindsey Mallory on court No. 6, 6-0, 6-0, and a 7-5, 6-2 triumph from Andrie Meiring in the No. 2 singles contest to take a 2-1 advantage in the contest.
Mallory and Meiring both improved their records in singles play this season to 5-1.
Elon's Viviana Stavreva tallied a victory in the No. 4 singles match to even the score at 2-2, but then the Bulldogs closed the door with back-to-back wins from Madelie Janse Van Rensburg and Rebecca Kirven. Janse Van Rensburg knocked off the Phoenix's Bryn Khoury 6-3, 6-4 on court No. 3 before Kirven clinched the match with a 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory in the No. 5 singles contest.
Samford's Janse Van Rensburg, the reigning SoCon Player of the Week, improved her record to 6-0 this season, while Kirven improved to 5-1.
The 74th-ranked Samford University women's tennis team will continue its critical two-match SoCon road trip Sunday at 1 p.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs face the UNC Greensboro Spartans in a key conference showdown to be held at the UNCG Tennis Courts.
