BOX SCORE

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford men's tennis team earned its fifth-straight win in a 5-2 Southern Conference victory over Furman Sunday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in Southern Conference play. Furman falls to 8-9 overall and 2-2 in league matches.
 
"Today was a total team effort," Samford head coach Rahim Esmail said. "We did a really good job today across the board, and it all started with the doubles point."
 
Samford swept the three doubles matches to earn that point and grab the early 1-0 lead.
 
At No. 1 doubles, Trey Carter and Leonard Gerch defeated Ben Horst and Matt Browne, 6-4. At the No. 2 spot, Jake Faundez and Eduardo Lourido Sanchez earned a 6-2 win over Cameron Green and Alex Steryous. Justin Ghavami and Fares Kilani earned the win at No. 3 doubles, defeating Josh Pistorius and Adam Steryous, 7-6.
 
In singles, Samford earned wins at the No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 and No. 5 spots. The win by Carter at No. 2 was the match-clinching victory for the Bulldogs.
 
"We got off to a great start in the singles as well, winning 5 of 6 first sets," Esmail said. "We did well to tough out some tight first sets, and did a tremendous job at keeping our composure and focusing on the process when Furman made a push to come back during the second sets of certain matches. We did a good job of responding to their response."
 
At No. 1 singles, Kilani defeated Adam Steryous, 6-2, 7-5. At the No. 2 spot, Carter earned a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Browne. Gerch defeated Horst at No. 4, 7-6, 6-1. At No. 5, Lourido Sanchez defeated Alex Steryous, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5.
 
"Today was a very hard fought match and we are pleased to come out on the winning end of it," Esmail said. "We are looking forward to getting back to work again this week and competing again this weekend."
 
Samford will play its final home match of the 2015-16 season when the Bulldogs host Mercer on April 8. The match is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
 
Samford 5, Furman 2
 
Singles Competition
1. Fares Kilani (SAM-M) def. Adam Steryous (FUR) 6-2, 7-5
2. Trey Carter (SAM-M) def. Matt Browne (FUR) 6-4, 7-5
3. Cameron Green (FUR) def. Justin Ghavami (SAM-M) 6-1, 6-4
4. Leonard Gerch (SAM-M) def. Ben Horst (FUR) 7-6, 6-1
5. Eduardo L. Sanchez (SAM-M) def. Alex Steryous (FUR) 7-5, 3-6, 7-5
6. Josh Pistorius (FUR) def. Jake Faundez (SAM-M) 5-7, 7-5, 1-0
 
Doubles Competition
1. Trey Carter/Leonard Gerch (SAM-M) def. Ben Horst/Matt Browne (FUR) 6-4
2. Jake Faundez/Eduardo L. Sanchez (SAM-M) def. Cameron Green/Alex Steryous (FUR) 6-2
3. Justin Ghavami/Fares Kilani (SAM-M) def. Josh Pistorius/Adam Steryous (FUR) 7-6