Feb. 2, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -
The Samford University women's tennis team will play its third straight home match of the 2012 spring season Friday as the Bulldogs welcome the Austin Peay Lady Govs to the Samford Tennis Center for an early-season, non-conference contest beginning at 3 p.m. (CST).
Samford (2-0) heads into Friday's matchup with a full head of steam after earning consecutive victories against Middle Tennessee and Louisiana Lafayette. The Bulldogs opened the 2012 campaign with a 4-3 win over Middle Tennessee on Jan. 27, before they streaked to a 6-1 triumph against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday.
In its most recent win over Louisiana-Lafayette, Samford opened the contest with a pair of doubles wins to earn the all-important doubles point. The Bulldogs then received singles victories from Kristin Lewis, Madelie Janse Van Rensburg, Rebecca Kirven, Lindsey Mallory and Emily Mallory to register the 6-1 win.
The Mallory sisters both won in straight sets for the Bulldogs, while the remaining three Samford singles triumphs occurred in three frames. Lewis, on court No. 1, moved to 2-0 in singles play this season, as did fellow Bulldogs Janse Van Rensburg on court No. 2 and Emily Mallory in No. 6 singles action.
Austin Peay (0-2) enters Friday's match looking to rebound from a 6-1 loss at Louisville on Saturday. Senior Vanja Tomic earned the Lady Govs' only win in singles play. It marked the second straight singles win for Tomic, who needed a tiebreak to down Louisville's Rebecca Shine at No. 1 singles.
The Lady Govs also received strong play out of freshmen Alison Carre at No. 2, despite falling in straight sets. Freshman Ornella Di Salvo also played well at No. 3 singles. Austin Peay dropped the doubles point to start the match and never seemed to get things going in singles play.
Following Friday's home contest against Austin Peay, the Samford University women's tennis team will next be in action Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs play host to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in an in-state rivalry match to be held at the Samford Tennis Center.
