March 10, 2012

Results

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University men's tennis team extended its winning streak to four-consecutive matches Saturday as the Bulldogs tallied a 6-1 victory against the Wofford Terriers in the Southern Conference opener for both teams held at the Samford Tennis Center.

"The guys did a great job competing today," said Samford head coach Rahim Esmail. "We got off to a slow start on some courts in singles, but were able to bounce back and make the adjustments that were needed to get ourselves back in those matches."

With the win, Samford (7-2, 1-0 SoCon) improved to 3-2 at home this season and remained undefeated in nearly a month. The Bulldogs' most recent setback was a 4-2 loss against Southern Miss on Feb. 11. Since then, Samford has rattled off consecutive wins versus Jacksonville State 4-2, Eastern Kentucky 5-2, Morehead State 7-0 and Wofford (1-7, 0-1 SoCon) 6-1.

Contrasting with the Bulldogs, the Terriers are in the midst of a five-match losing streak. Wofford earned its lone victory of the 2012 campaign on Jan. 31 at home versus USC Lancaster, 6-1. Since then, the Terriers have dropped consecutive matches against Florida Atlantic 6-1, UNC Asheville 6-1, Charlotte 4-2 and Gardner-Webb 5-2.

Samford jumped out to an early 1-0 lead Saturday by winning the doubles point. On court No. 3, the Bulldogs' combination of Fernando Costa and Carson Kadi cruised to an 8-0 victory, while Samford's Zac Dunkle and Alexander Sajonz clinched the point on court No. 1 with an 8-4 triumph over Wofford's tandem of Tinus Van Wyk and Rob Galloway.

Both of the Bulldogs' aforementioned doubles teams improved their spring dual-match records to 6-3 with Saturday's victories.

In singles play, Samford received quick straight-set wins from Kadi, Costa and Dunkle. The Bulldogs' Kadi tallied a 6-1, 6-0 triumph on court No. 2, while Costa breezed to a 6-1, 6-1 victory in the No. 4 singles matchup. Dunkle, Samford's junior from Atlanta, Ga., clinched the Bulldogs' team victory with a 6-4, 7-6(6) win on court No. 1.

Costa, Samford's sophomore from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, tallied his fourth-straight singles win and improved his dual-match record this season to 8-1 on court No. 4.

"Carson and Fernando took care of business today," Esmail said. "They did not let up during their matches, and I think that help the rest of the players find their stride and get themselves back into their match. Garrison did a great job at No. 6. He came up a little short but showed a lot of poise and I am confident that he will continue to improve. We are happy to leave here today with a win, but need to be ready for another battle tomorrow."

On courts No. 3 and No. 5, Samford registered three-set singles wins from Elliot Barnwell and Sajonz.

Barnwell, the Bulldogs' sophomore from Mancetter, United Kingdom, rallied for a 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 victory over the Terriers' Jackson Keith on court No. 3, while Sajonz earned a similar come-from-behind triumph over Wofford's Tom Wood in the No. 5 singles contest, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Samford's Barnwell improved his record on the season to 8-1.

The Samford University men's tennis team will next be in action Sunday at 10 a.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs play host to the Appalachian State Mountaineers in another key conference matchup to be held at the Samford Tennis Center.