BOX SCORE

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's tennis team won its Southern Conference opener in a 6-1 victory over Mercer Wednesday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 6-8 overall and 1-0 in Southern Conference play. The win also pushes Samford's SoCon win streak to 12 matches, dating back to 2014. Mercer falls to 8-10 overall and 0-3 in Southern Conference action.
 
Samford won the doubles point, two matches to one. The Bulldogs also took five of the six singles matches, with three of those wins going to three sets.
 
"I think we relied on a lot of our success from last year and we really had to use that experience to get us through," Samford head coach David Vest said. "Mercer is much, much improved from last year and we really needed to use the strength of schedule we've had up to this point. We've had a brutal schedule and we've really used that to set the pace for what we did today."
 
In doubles, Samford earned wins at No. 1 and No. 3. At the No. 1 spot, seniors Carita Moolman and Jessica Northcutt defeated Katia Stravroulaki and Grace Korta, 7-6. Savannah Wood and Iva Parapunova earned a 6-4 win over Haley Powell and Liza Klyachkin at No. 3 doubles.
 
"We got the doubles point, which was a huge momentum shift for us," Vest said. "I'm actually glad we got pushed, because there are no easy conference matches."
 
In singles, Samford earned wins at No. 5, No. 6, No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4. At No. 5, Ellie Gerlach defeated Roxy Bartz, 6-3, 6-1. At No. 6, Annika Hepp earned a 6-4, 6-0 win over Christie Cesarini.
 
The match was clinched at the No. 1 singles spot, with Northcutt defeating Stravroulaki, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. At No. 2, Moolman defeated Xandra Fougner, 6-1, 5-7, 6-1. Wood defeated Powell, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 4 singles spot.
 
Samford will return to action on Saturday, March 26, when the Bulldogs host UNCG. The match is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
Samford 6, Mercer 1
 
Singles competition
1. Jessica Northcutt (SAM-W) def. Katia Stravroulaki (MER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
2. Carita Moolman (SAM-W) def. Xandra Fougner (MER) 6-1, 5-7, 6-1
3. Grace Korta (MER) def. Iva Parapunova (SAM-W) 6-7, 7-5, 1-0
4. Savannah Wood (SAM-W) def. Haley Powell (MER) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) def. Roxy Bartz (MER) 6-3, 6-1
6. Annika Hepp (SAM-W) def. Christie Cesarini (MER) 6-4, 6-0
 
Doubles competition
1. Carita Moolman/Jessica Northcutt (SAM-W) def. Katia Stravroulaki/Grace Korta (MER) 7-6
2. Roxy Bartz/Xandra Fougner (MER) def. Annika Hepp/Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) 6-4
3. Savannah Wood/Iva Parapunova (SAM-W) def. Haley Powell/Liza Klyachkin (MER) 6-4