March 3, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -
The Samford University men's tennis team will attempt to extend its winning streak to six-consecutive matches Friday as the Bulldogs welcome the UAB Blazers to the Samford Tennis Center for a cross-town rivalry contest set to begin at 6 p.m. (CST).
Samford (6-1) heads into the matchup with an unblemished 6-0 record at home this season. While playing at the Samford Tennis Center, the Bulldogs have rattled off consecutive victories against Alabama-Huntsville 7-0, Jacksonville State 7-0, UNC Asheville 7-0, Gadsden State 7-0, Belmont 7-0 and North Alabama 7-0.
Samford has not relinquished a single point at home this season and has outscored its opponents 42-0.
In their most recent win, a dominant 7-0 performance against North Alabama on Feb. 25, the Bulldogs swept all three doubles matches and took an early 1-0 lead in the contest.
Samford then won all six singles matches in straight sets to register the victory. The Bulldogs tallied wins in the singles competition from Carson Kadi, Zac Dunkle, Carl Abalos, Oliver Reynolds, Fernando Costa and Alexander Sajonz.
With his dominant 6-1, 6-0 victory against Rob Whitsitt on court No. 3, Samford's Abalos improved his record in singles play to 6-0 this season. With their respective wins against North Alabama, the Bulldogs' Costa, Dunkle, Kadi, Reynolds and Sajonz all improved their singles record to 5-1.
As a team this season, Samford has outscored its opponents in singles play by a total of 37-5. In doubles play, the Bulldogs have registered a lopsided 18-3 margin. Samford's doubles combination of Dunkle and Sajonz has led the way with an unblemished 6-0 record this season.
UAB (3-3) enters Friday's contest riding the positive momentum of a two-match winning streak. Since losing three straight matches against nationally-ranked opponents in No. 32 Mississippi State 7-0, No. 22 Auburn 6-1 and No. 38 Tulsa 6-1, the Blazers have rattled off back-to-back victories against Oral Roberts 4-0 and North Alabama 6-1.
Following Friday's cross-town rivalry match against UAB, the Samford men's tennis team will next be in action Saturday at noon (CST) as the Bulldogs continue their seven-match homestand against the Columbus State Cougars in a non-conference contest to be held at the Samford Tennis Center.