BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--The Samford women's tennis team dropped a 5-2 decision to Middle Tennessee Saturday morning at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
With the loss, Samford falls to 2-3 so far this season. Middle Tennessee improves to 5-4 with the win.
 
The doubles point came down to the third match, with the teams splitting the first two matches. MTSU's Brittany Huxley and Giulia Squadrin defeated Samford's Carita Moolman and Jessica Northcutt, 7-6 at No. 1 doubles.
 
Samford's Annika Hepp and Ellie Gerlach evened the match by earning a 6-2 win over MTSU's Darya Shulzhanok and Sarah Sediri, 6-2. In the No. 3 match, MTSU's Costanza Magazzini and Alory Pereia defeated Samford's Savannah Wood and Iva Parapunova, 7-6 to give the Blue Raiders a 1-0 lead.
 
In singles, Samford earned wins at the No. 4 and No. 5 positions. At No. 4, Gerlach defeated Squadrin, 6-4, 6-3. Wood earned a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 win over Magazzini at No. 5 for Samford's two wins in the match.
 
MTSU earned singles wins at No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 6 to pull away for the 5-2 win.
 
Samford will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 17, when the Bulldogs host UAB. The match is set to start at 1:30 p.m. at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
Middle Tennessee 5,  Samford 2
Singles 
1.Darya Shulzhanok (MT) def. Jessica Northcutt  (SAM-W) 7-6, 6-3
2. Brittany Huxley (MT) def. Carita Moolman (SAM-W) 6-3, 6-2
3. Luisa Zirilli (MT) def. Iva Parapunova (SAM-W) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
4. Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) def. Giulia Squadrin  (MT) 6-4,  6-3
5. Savannah Wood (SAM-W) def. Costanza Magazzini (MT) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6
6. Alory Pereira (MT) def. Annika Hepp (SAM-W) 6-2, 6-4
 
Doubles
1.Brittany Huxley/Giulia Squadrin (MT) def. Carita Moolman/Jessica Northcutt (SAM-W) 7-6
2. Annika Hepp/Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) def. Darya Shulzhanok/Sarah Sediri (MT) 6-2
3. Costanza Magazzini/Alory Pereira (MT) def. Savannah Wood/Iva Parapunova (SAM-W) 7-6