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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University men's tennis team picked up its third positive result in its last four outings Saturday as the Bulldogs cruised to a 7-0 triumph over the Jackson State Tigers in their inaugural "Power of Pink" match held at the Samford Tennis Center.
 
"I like how our team responded today after the doubles point," said Samford head coach Rahim Esmail. "There were some things during the doubles point that we could have done better, and we were able to accomplish that today in the singles."
 
Samford (5-6) improved to 3-3 in home contests this year and tallied its third victory in eight days. After an 0-4 start to the dual-match season, the Bulldogs have been triumphant in five of their last seven outings.
 
Three of Samford's six losses in 2015 have come against the following nationally-ranked opponents:  No. 27 Kentucky, No. 28 Mississippi State and No. 36 Alabama.
 
Jackson State (2-12) suffered its second straight defeat in the state of Alabama on Saturday.
 
On Sunday, the Tigers played at Alabama and dropped a 4-0 decision to the Crimson Tide. Jackson State opened its 2015 dual-match season with 10 straight losses, before defeating Alcorn State, 6-1, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Feb. 28.
 
On Saturday, the Bulldogs cruised to their 7-0 victory by claiming the initial doubles point and then sweeping all six singles matches in straight sets.
 
In doubles play, Samford's combination of Austin Akers and Henry Moore rolled to an 8-1 victory on court No. 2, while Fares Kilani and Eduardo Lourido Sanchez blanked their Tiger counterparts, 8-0, in the No. 3 matchup. The Bulldogs' Kilani and Lourido Sanchez extended their winning streak to four-consecutive matches and own a 6-3 record in dual-match play.
 
Justin Ghavami, Samford's highly-touted true freshman from Montreal, Canada, registered his sixth-consecutive victory in singles play on court No. 4 this season. He now holds a solid 6-4 record in dual matches.
 
Fellow freshman Jake Faundez notched his fifth straight singles win Saturday and improved his dual-match record to 7-2 this season.
 
"We need to keep enjoying the process of getting better each day and embracing and enjoying the challenges ahead of us," Esmail said. "We're definitely looking forward to starting conference play next week."
 
The Samford University men's tennis team will next be in action Friday at 3 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs begin Southern Conference play at home against the UNCG Spartans. The league-opening contest will be held at the Samford Tennis Center.

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