BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's tennis team defeated Arkansas State, 5-1, Saturday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Center.
 
"I am proud of our fight today," Samford head coach David Vest said. "There were several times today, in both singles and doubles, that we had our backs against the wall.  But we were pretty resilient today when we were down, and really just changed a few attitudes and made a few mental adjustments."
 
Arkansas State took the match on the No. 1 singles court, but Samford bounced back to earn wins at No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6. The match on the No. 2 court was unfinished.
 
"Sometimes you have get down in a match in order to see how hard you have to fight, and we still have some younger players who are learning that it takes hard work and the right mindset from the very first point," Vest said.  "Arkansas State is well-coached, and certainly better than their record might indicate, so we are happy to get a win against one of the scrappier teams we have played all season."
 
At No. 3 singles, Elsa Pool defeated Shannon O'Brien, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. On the No. 4 singles court, Arianna Beltrame downed Victoria Pisani, 7-5, 6-1. At No. 5, Annika Hepp defeated Tori Roberts, 6-3, 6-0. Grace Jennings earned the win at No. 6 singles, defeating Allison Quammen, 6-2, 6-0.
 
In doubles, Samford won the No. 1 and No. 3 matches, while the match on the No. 2 doubles court was unfinished. At No. 1 doubles, Jennings and Ellie Gerlach defeated Julie Gauguery and O'Brien, 7-5. On the No. 3 doubles court, Hepp and Pool defeated Quammen and Roberts, 6-1.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 6-3 on the season. Arkansas State falls to 0-7 with the loss.
 
Samford will return to action on March 4, when the Bulldogs host USC Upstate. The match is set for a 12 p.m. start from the Samford Tennis Center.
 
 
Samford 5, Arkansas State 1
Singles
1. Gauguery, Julie (ASU) def. Savannah Wood (SAM-W) 6-2, 6-7, 7-5
2. Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) vs. Jeresic, Sabina (ASU) 4-6, 6-3, 0-1, unfinished
3. Elsa Pool (SAM-W) def. O'Brien, Shannon (ASU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
4. Arianna Beltrame (SAM-W) def. Pisani, Victoria (ASU) 7-5, 6-1
5. Annika Hepp (SAM-W) def. Roberts, Tori (ASU) 6-3, 6-0
6. Grace Jennings (SAM-W) def. Quammen, Allison (ASU) 6-2, 6-0
 
Doubles
1. Grace Jennings/Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) def. Gauguery, Julie/O'Brien, Shannon (ASU) 7-5
2. Savannah Wood/Arianna Beltrame (SAM-W) vs. Jeresic, Sabina/Pisani, Victoria (ASU) 4-5, unfinished
3. Annika Hepp/Elsa Pool (SAM-W) def. Quammen, Allison/Roberts, Tori (ASU) 6-1