Box Score
Samford Stats

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Samford University men's tennis team faced its second nationally-ranked opponent in as many matches this season Saturday and came up short in a hard-fought 4-0 decision against the 28^th-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs in an early-season, non-conference showdown held at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre.
 
"Overall, I am pleased with the way we competed," said Samford head coach Rahim Esmail. "We need to get off to better starts in the doubles. If not, the doubles point goes too quick to play catchup. In five of the six singles matches, we found ourselves at some point during the match, whether it was a first set or a second set, in a position to win."
 
Samford opened its 2015 campaign with a 6-1 road loss at No. 36-ranked Alabama.
 
In Saturday's contest at No. 28 Mississippi State, Samford fell behind early by a count of 1-0 after losing the doubles point. The homestanding Bulldogs jumped out quickly on the visitors and earned identical 6-1 wins on courts No. 1 and No. 3 to take the initial score of the match.
 
Samford competed valiantly in singles play and won the first set from its counterparts on courts No. 3 and No. 6.
 
In the No. 3 singles matchup, the Bulldogs' Trey Carter won the first set against Mississippi State's No. 63-ranked Tassilo Schmid in dominant fashion, 6-2. The pair was tied in the second set at 4-4 when the match was called.
 
Samford true freshman Jake Faundez also handled his Mississippi State opponent in the opening set on court No. 6, 6-2. Against Robin Haden, Faundez was leading the second set 5-4 when Saturday's contest concluded. Prior to the match, both coaches agreed to suspend the remaining matches once an official decision was reached.
 
"These top teams, like Mississippi State, really buckle down when its 4-4 or 5-5 in sets and play very tough tennis – they make you take advantage of any opportunity that is given," Esmail said. "Trey and Jake played some very convincing tennis today. Everyone has been working very hard so far, and those two today were excellent examples of implementing what they have been working on and being confident with their games."
 
Mississippi State earned the 4-0 victory with straight-set singles wins on courts No. 4, No. 5 and No. 1.
 
With Saturday's loss, Samford dropped to 3-12 all-time against the Bulldogs. SU has been defeated in eight straight matches with Mississippi State and the Bulldogs have not been victorious in the rivalry since 1975.
 
"I'm extremely looking forward to getting back to work this week and having another opportunity to compete again and put our work to the test on Wednesday," said Esmail.
 
The Samford University men's tennis team will next be in action Wednesday at 11 a.m. (CST) as the Bulldogs welcome the Jacksonville State Gamecocks to the Samford Tennis Center for a home-opening, in-state duel.

Box Score
Samford Stats