Samford University
Elon
Bulldogs Close Out Homestand With 4-3 Loss To Elon
3.18.12 | Women's Tennis
March 18, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In a match that came down to the final two singles contests, the Samford University women's tennis team dropped a hard-fought 4-3 decision against the Elon Phoenix Sunday in a Southern Conference showdown held at the Samford Tennis Center.
Samford (9-4, 1-3 SoCon) only suffered its fourth loss at home this season, but the Bulldogs fell short in their third match in four outings held at the Samford Tennis Center. Samford's next home contest will be April 11 at 1 p.m., versus Troy. In the meantime, the Bulldogs will play five-straight road SoCon matches against Western Carolina, Furman, Wofford, Davidson and Appalachian State.
In Sunday's victory, Elon (12-4, 3-1 SoCon) lost the doubles point, but then battled back to register singles wins on courts Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 6.
The Phoenix's key victories were earned by Jordan Johnston and Viviana Stavreva. Elon tallied wins in the only two three-set singles matches of the day as Johnston was victorious on court No. 1, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, and Stavrera was able to hold off Samford's Rebecca Kirven in the No. 4 contest, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead Sunday as they won the doubles point and then received quick singles triumphs from Madelie Janse Van Rensburg and Lindsey Mallory.
Janse Van Rensburg, Samford's talented senior from Franschhoek, South Africa, cruised to a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Elon's Barbora Lazarova in the No. 2 singles contest, while Lindsey Mallory rolled to a 6-1, 6-0 win on court No. 5. With her third-straight triumph in singles play this season, Janse Van Rensburg improved her record on the year to 11-1 when playing on court No. 2.
After Samford garnered its early 3-0 lead Sunday, Elon rallied back to win the final four singles matches and take the hard-fought 4-3 SoCon victory.
The Samford University women's tennis team will next be in action Thursday at 3 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs begin a critical five-match SoCon road trip against the Western Carolina Catamounts in a key league contest to be held in Cullowhee, N.C.
