By Laura Klein, Samford Athletics CommunicationBIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University women's tennis team has reached a critical juncture in its season. After having been battletested throughout a challenging non-conference schedule, the Bulldogs are 4-0 in Southern Conference play and are ready to finish their season on a successful note, after a heartbreaking end to its 2014 campaign.
Last season, the Bulldogs reached the SoCon Tournament finals and fell to Elon in hard-fought contest in the championship match. Head Coach
David Vest says he reminds the team of the devastating loss every week.
"I remind them to remember what it feels like to have lost," said Vest. "We mention it a lot so it stays fresh on our minds. It's an awful feeling knowing you were that close. I want them to use that as motivation. You don't want to be in that situation again. You want to know what it feels like on the other side."
To prevent this end in 2015, the Bulldogs have faced a challenging slate of nationally-ranked and recognized programs in order to prepare themselves for the conference season. Some of those top competitors included No. 10 Georgia, No. 28 Auburn and No. 71 Mississippi State.
"We've played a tough schedule," Vest said. "I did that on purpose so that we could be ready for conference matches. We've progressively gotten a little bit better, partly because of the work we've put in, but partly because of the strength of our schedule. Now that we've gotten into conference season we're starting to see the results of both of those."
The Bulldogs are 4-0 in the SoCon this season thanks to their preparation in the non-conference portion of their schedule. Samford's success has been highlighted by a few top performers, like
Carita Moolman and
Stephanie N'tcha. They have been awarded several honors, including the SoCon Player of the Month and of the Week.
Additionally, the tandem of Moolman and N'tcha knocked off Auburn's No. 7 nationally-ranked doubles team in the country in February. The Tigers' duo was the highest ranked doubles opponent to be defeated by a Samford pairing. Auburn's tandem consisted of two All-Americans who advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament in 2014.
"It's good to play tougher competition because it makes each individual get a little bit tougher," said Vest. "You want them to play the best competition possible to give them a better chance to use the experience of being pushed by the tougher players. It pushes us individually to play our best, because when you play better competition you raise your level to play at their level."
Facing these difficult opponents has developed the team's resilience and overall mental strength. Each member of the team contributes in some capacity for every match, and this has strengthened the team's chemistry and level of play. The senior leadership has been the driving force behind the team's motivation for success.
The Bulldogs are led by three seniors this season in
AnnMarie Lyon,
Yasmeen Ebada and N'tcha. The seniors have proven to be exceptional leaders for the talented squad.
"It's been a great group of seniors who work hard, they're feisty and they get it," Vest said. "They understand what it takes to be leaders and they're driven by having lost in the finals last year. The fact that these seniors have never been to the NCAA Tournament is a motivating factor. They want to know what it's like, and if they don't get there they'll never know because this is their last chance to do it."
With the experience of facing the country's top teams, the Bulldogs are primed for a deep run into the SoCon Tournament, and hopefully a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. As the team moves deeper into their SoCon slate, Samford's goal is central to its mission.
"We want to win the conference tournament," said Vest. "That's how you get to the NCAA Tournament. That's something this group of seniors hasn't experienced. They want to know what that feels like"
By using their disappointing loss to conclude the 2014 season as fuel for their motivation this year, the Bulldogs are primed for a deep postseason run. Samford is ready and knows that at this point in its season, it is now or never.
"The team is ready," said Vest. "They are ready to play and it's this time of year that they look forward to all season."
On Wednesday, the Samford University women's tennis team will attempt to extend its season-best winning streak to six-consecutive matches as the Bulldogs step out of SoCon play for a midweek contest against the Troy Trojans. The in-state meeting will be held at the Lunsford Tennis Complex in Troy.
