BOX SCORE

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford men's tennis team dropped its Southern Conference opener to East Tennessee State, 5-2, Sunday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
With the loss, Samford falls to 5-4 overall and 0-1 in Southern Conference action. ETSU improves to 4-5 overall and 1-0 in league matches.
 
"Today was a tough match," Samford head coach Rahim Esmail said. "They are a very good team and we knew it was going to be competitive. They are very tough at all positions, one through six and doubles as well."
 
Samford won the No. 1 doubles match, with Trey Carter and Leonard Gerch defeating David Biosca and Rogerio Ribeiro, 6-3. The Bucs, however, took the final two doubles matches to take a 1-0 lead.
 
"We let some opportunities in the doubles slip – played not to lose instead of to win," Esmail said. "We need to take care of our opportunities when they are in front of us, especially against good teams. You can't wait for other teams to give it to you."
 
In singles, Samford's Fares Kilani defeated Biosca, 6-4, 7-5 at No. 1. The Bulldogs also earned a win at No. 6, with Jake Faundez defeating Ismael Merino 6-2, 3-6, 7-6. ETSU earned the wins at No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 singles to secure the 5-2 win.
 
Samford will return to action on Friday, March 11, when the Bulldogs host Belmont. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
East Tennessee State 5, Samford Men's Tennis 2
Singles competition
1. Fares Kilani (SAM-M) def. David Biosca (ETSU) 6-4, 7-5
2. Rogerio Ribeiro (ETSU) def. Trey Carter (SAM-M) 6-1, 3-6, 7-5
3. Diego Nunez (ETSU) def. Justin Ghavami (SAM-M) 6-3, 6-3
4. Sebastian Yllera (ETSU) def. Eduardo L. Sanchez (SAM-M) 6-4, 6-4
5. Robert Herrera (ETSU) def. Leonard Gerch (SAM-M) 6-3, 6-0
6. Jake Faundez (SAM-M) def. Ismael Merino (ETSU) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6
 
Doubles competition
1. Trey Carter/Leonard Gerch (SAM-M) def. David Biosca/Rogerio Ribeiro (ETSU) 6-3
2. Diego Nunez/Robert Herrera (ETSU) def. Eduardo L. Sanchez/Jake Faundez (SAM-M) 6-1
3. Ismael Merino/Sebastian Yllera (ETSU) def. Fares Kilani/Justin Ghavami (SAM-M) 6-4