BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- On the west end of Samford University is a state-of-the-art athletic facility that is a hidden gem on campus. The Samford Tennis Center is home to the Samford women's tennis program, and home to Jessica Northcutt.
 
For Northcutt though, it wasn't always tennis. The native of Duluth, Ga., started playing tennis at age eight but quickly burned out and tried new sports.  Swimming and equestrian riding took up a span of a few years until she got back on the court.
 
 Around the age of 12, Northcutt dusted off the racket and started taking tennis seriously. By the time high school came around, tennis was more than just a hobby for Northcutt. She excelled on the court in high school and was ranked as high as No. 48 in the nation. Northcutt also received a number of accolades that caught the attention of college coaches, including winning the Bronze Ball at the 2009 16-and-Under National Clay Court championships.
 
"David (Vest), our coach was my favorite coach while he was recruiting me," Northcutt said. "I just really enjoyed him. I took a couple other visits to a couple other school, but I ended up choosing Samford because I liked David the best."
 
Since coming to Samford and transitioning into the collegiate level of athletics, Northcutt has noticed a definite learning curve and difference from high school level competition. But through the experience and direction of Vest, Northcutt is ready every time she sets foot on the court.
 
"He's (Vest) a good person to learn from," Northcutt said. "I've learned a lot from my four years here, it's made me tougher, and more prepared for the real world."
 
Samford's current and former players have developed a very special bond between teammates. Players that have graduated come back to cheer on the team. And older players help acclimate the younger players to the lifestyle of a college athlete.
 
Last year, Samford women's tennis won the SoCon Tournament and received a bid to the NCAA tournament. However, this year's roster looks a lot different than last year's. The Bulldogs lost Stephanie N'tcha and Yasmeen Ebada who anchored the one and two positions, as well as key doubles player AnnMarie Lyon.
 
As a senior, Northcutt will be held to a higher standard on the court as a player and leader of the team. Samford is returning four players including Northcutt and has two transfers on the roster for this season. Iva Parapunova and Carita Moolman join Northcutt as seniors and leaders on the team this year.
 
For Northcutt, this season will be about leading by example on and off the court. It's been a new experience for her, a change from being an underclassman to now holding a position of leadership and authority.
 
Northcutt has learned a lot about tennis and herself since coming to Samford. The senior marketing major is involved in many places other than tennis. Northcutt is a member of a sorority, community service chair of SAAC and boasts a high GPA.
 
"Samford's been really good for me," Northcutt said. "With school and tennis and my faith, and the girls on the team have really made it the best experience. I'm in a sorority, which is fun. I don't get to do that much with it but it's fun to have friends outside of tennis."
 
However, Northcutt's main goal at Samford is winning on the court. She and the Bulldogs will be back in action hosting the Samford Fall Round Robin on Friday, October 2^nd. This will be Samford's first home action of the fall season. The team is ready for the tournament to see how they will play together for the first time and what are areas of strengths and weaknesses.
 
Northcutt talked about some of the things the team needs to work on during the fall season.
 
"I think our fitness is something we've had to work on," Northcutt said. "Coach has us running out on the football field every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 6 a.m. Individually I'd say playing together for the first time, since it's a completely different team. Learning what each of us likes and what we don't like, and learning how to play doubles together. So that will definitely be something we can work on this weekend at the home tournament."
 
The Darwin C. Hardison Courts and the Pat M. Courington Tennis Pavilion at the Samford Tennis Center will be live in action from Friday to Sunday as Samford opens its home tournament for the fall of 2015. The Bulldogs will be looking for a good showing as they continue the fall season, and hope to return to the NCAA tournament as SoCon Champions in the spring.
 
Northcutt was crucial in last year's SoCon victory as she was named 2015 Southern Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Northcutt will be looking to pick up right where she left off last year in the SoCon Championships.
 
Admission is free, so come for the weekend or just a day and see the Samford women's tennis team back in action at the Samford Fall Round Robin.