BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's tennis team will open its spring season with a match at Auburn Saturday at 12 p.m., and then the Bulldogs will host Kennesaw State Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
Samford played both teams early in the season last year as well, falling at Auburn, 7-0, and earning a 7-0 win over Kennesaw State at home.
 
Samford returns four student-athletes from last season's team that reached the finals of the Southern Conference Tournament for the third-straight season. Ellie Gerlach, Annika Hepp, Georgina Jupp and Savannah Wood all return to this year's squad.
 
The Bulldogs also welcome five newcomers to the program. Freshmen Arianna Beltrame, Grace Jennings, Amanda Kilduff and Elsa Pool competed in the fall for the Bulldogs, and will be going through their first collegiate spring season this year. Nadine de Villiers is a recent addition to the squad as well.
 
Auburn posted a record of 24-8 overall and 9-4 in the Southeastern Conference last season. Kennesaw State went 3-17 overall and 2-4 in the Atlantic Sun Conference a year ago.
 
A full recap and results will be posted to www.samfordsports.com following each match.