BOX SCORE

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Samford men's tennis team earned its second-straight SoCon win, defeating UNCG, 5-2, Saturday afternoon at the Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 8-4 overall and 2-1 in Southern Conference play. UNCG falls to 7-6 overall and 1-1 in league matches.
 
"Today was a good test for us in many different ways," Samford head coach Rahim Esmail said. "Our energy level right from the start was a big difference maker. This helped propel us into the singles, after playing a solid doubles point. We were up a break at 1 and 3 doubles right away, and both teams did a tremendous job at continuing their momentum."
 
Samford captured the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 3. At No. 1, Trey Carter and Leonard Gerch defeated Warren Bryan and William Albright, 6-1. Fares Kilani and Justin Ghavami earned a 6-3 win over Ian Melnik and Logan Walker at No. 3 doubles. The match at No. 2 doubles was not finished.
 
"We did a good job today, at a few positions, in finding ways to win," Esmail said. "I am pleased with our resilient fighting spirit that we showed today. We are well aware of what we need to do as a team to be successful, and we know the importance of obtaining a certain level each and every day."
 
In singles, Samford earned wins at the No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6 positions. After UNCG tied the match with a win at No. 1 singles, Samford took control of the match with three-straight wins at No. 4, No. 3 and No. 2.
 
At No. 4 singles, Gerch defeated Gaston Murray, 6-4, 6-2. Ghavami then defeated Albright, 6-3, 7-5 at No. 3. At the No. 2 position, Carter secured the win for Samford with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Daniel Mack at No. 2.
 
UNCG then earned the win at No. 5, before Samford wrapped up the match with Jake Faundez defeating Melnik, 6-4, 7-5 at No. 6.
 
"I have full belief that our experiences so far this season have led us to grow and learn," Carter said. "Today was a unique challenge for Samford. Our collective energy was powerful and deterministic. Individually, I controlled my emotions well and was able to come from behind to provide the match clinching fourth point. We will learn from this win and look to continue the season objectively."
 
Samford will return to action on March 22, when the Bulldogs play at The Citadel. The match is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start from Charleston, S.C.
 
Samford 5, UNCG 2
 
Singles competition
1. Connor Thompson (UNCG) def. Fares Kilani (SAM-M) 6-1, 6-2
2. Trey Carter (SAM-M) def. Daniel Mack (UNCG) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. Justin Ghavami (SAM-M) def. William Albright (UNCG) 6-3, 7-5
4. Leonard Gerch (SAM-M) def. Gaston Murray (UNCG) 6-4, 6-2
5. Warren Bryan (UNCG) def. Eduardo L. Sanchez (SAM-M) 3-6, 6-2, 1-0
6. Jake Faundez (SAM-M) def. Ian Melnik (UNCG) 6-4, 7-5
 
Doubles competition
1. Trey Carter/Leonard Gerch (SAM-M) def. Warren Bryan/William Albright (UNCG) 6-1
2. Connor Thompson/Daniel Mack (UNCG) vs. Eduardo L. Sanchez/Jake Faundez (SAM-M) 4-3, unfinished
3. Fares Kilani/Justin Ghavami (SAM-M) def. Ian Melnik/Logan Walker (UNCG) 6-3