BOX SCORE

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's tennis team remained perfect in Southern Conference play with a 6-1 win over Western Carolina Friday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 8-8 overall and 3-0 in Southern Conference play. Samford has now won 14-straight SoCon matches, dating back to 2014. Western Carolina falls to 10-7 overall and 0-4 in league matches.
 
Samford got off to a fast start, sweeping the doubles matches. At No. 1 doubles, Carita Moolman and Jessica Northcutt defeated Shannon Bettiol and Stacia Kissell, 6-1. At the No. 2 position, Annika Hepp and Ellie Gerlach earned a 6-2 win over Megan McLinden and Savannah Taranto. Savannah Wood and Iva Parapunova completed the sweep by defeating Nicole Nielly and Elizabeth Ansari, 6-0
 
"I was pleased that we played better doubles today," Samford head coach David Vest said. "All three teams were able to get good starts and stick with the strategies that are necessary for us to play at a high level."
 
In singles competition, Samford earned wins at No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 to close out the 6-1 win. At No. 2, Moolman defeated McLinden, 6-3, 6-2. At the No. 3 spot, Parapunova earned a 6-1, 6-3 win over Bettiol.
 
Wood earned the win at No. 4 singles, defeating Taranto, 6-3, 6-2. At No. 5, Gerlach earned a 7-6, 6-0 win over Ansari. Hepp defeated Erin Maguire, 3-6, 6-3, 10-1 at No. 6 singles.
 
"Overall, I am pleased with where we are at the moment," Vest said. "We will need to play a complete match on Sunday against a good ETSU team, so I'm hopeful that the momentum of our last three conference matches will carry over throughout the weekend."
 
Samford will return to action on Sunday, April 3, when the Bulldogs play at ETSU. The match is set for a 1 p.m. start from Johnson City, Tenn.
 
 
Samford Women's Tennis 6, Western Carolina 1
 
Singles competition
1. Stacia Kissell (WCU) def. Jessica Northcutt (SAM-W) 2-6, 6-4, 10-6
2. Carita Moolman (SAM-W) def. Megan McLinden (WCU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Iva Parapunova (SAM-W) def. Shannon Bettiol (WCU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Savannah Wood (SAM-W) def. Savannah Taranto (WCU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) def. Elizabeth Ansari (WCU) 7-6, 6-0
6. Annika Hepp (SAM-W) def. Erin Maguire (WCU) 3-6, 6-3, 10-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Carita Moolman/Jessica Northcutt (SAM-W) def. Shannon Bettiol/Stacia Kissell (WCU) 6-1
2. Annika Hepp/Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) def. Megan McLinden/Savannah Taranto (WCU) 6-2
3. Savannah Wood/Iva Parapunova (SAM-W) def. Nicole Nielly/Elizabeth Ansari (WCU) 6-0