Box Score
Samford StatsCHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The Samford University men's tennis team closed out its 2014 regular-season schedule with a third-consecutive victory Wednesday as the Bulldogs tallied a 6-1 Southern Conference triumph against the Chattanooga Mocs in a Southern Rail Rivalry matchup held at the UTC Tennis Center.
"We did a great job today and played a very complete match across the board," said Samford head coach
Rahim Esmail. "I am pleased with the way we came out and took care of business. Doubles could have been better across the board, but Liam (Sullivan) and Austin (Ferrer) did an amazing job at No. 3 doubles. Winning the doubles point made a huge difference in the way we started the singles matches."
With Wednesday's victory,
Samford (8-9, 5-3 SoCon) extended its winning streak to three-straight matches. Since coming up short against Furman on March 28, the Bulldogs have reeled off consecutive conference triumphs over Wofford, Georgia Southern and
Chattanooga (6-13, 1-8 SoCon).
Samford has battled through a plethora of injuries all season long, but has found its stride here late in the 2014 campaign. The Bulldogs have been victorious in five of their last seven matches and will enter next weekend's SoCon Tournament with a full head of steam.
On Wednesday, Samford claimed the all-important doubles point by tallying victories on courts No. 2 and No. 3.
The Bulldogs kicked off the competition with an 8-3 triumph from
Austin Akers and
Fares Kilani in the No. 2 doubles contest. Samford then used a thrilling 8-7 victory from the freshmen combination of
Liam Sullivan and
Austin Ferrer on court No. 3 to secure its early 1-0 lead over Chattanooga.
With their wins, Akers and Kilani improved to 9-6 on the season, while Sullivan and Ferrer moved to 1-1.
In singles play, the Bulldogs were defeated on court No. 6, but registered quick straight-set victories on courts No. 1-5 to solidify its 6-1 overall victory in the Southern Rail Rivalry contest.
On court No. 5, Sullivan turned in the most dominant performance of the afternoon as Samford's true freshman native of Richmond, Va., cruised past the Mocs' Austin Boaz, 6-0, 6-0. Senior
Elliot Barnwell improved his singles record on the season to 12-5 with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph on court No. 1, while Kilani posted a 6-2, 6-3 win on court No. 2.
With his victory, Kilani moved to 10-7 in dual-match play this year.
The Samford University men's tennis team will next be in action April 17 as the Bulldogs begin play in the 2014 SoCon Tournament. Samford, the defending SoCon Tournament champions, are scheduled to defend their crown April 17-19, at the Champions Club in Chattanooga.
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