BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's tennis team earned its fourth-straight win, defeating cross-town rival UAB, 5-2, Thursday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
"As it always is with UAB, this was a battle that was probably a bit closer than the score might indicate," Samford head coach David Vest said. "I am proud of how hard we fought after losing the first set in each of the first three singles matches."
 
Samford took the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3. At No. 2 doubles, Savannah Wood and Arianna Beltrame defeated Sophie Dodds and Reghan Lynch, 6-3. On the No. 3 doubles court, Elsa Pool and Grace Jennings defeated Hana Sisirak and Natalie Voss, 6-2.
 
In singles, Samford earned wins at No. 2, No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6 to secure the win. At No. 2, Ellie Gerlach earned a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 win over Marlene Hermann. Pool took a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Lynch at No. 3 singles.
 
At No. 5 singles, Beltrame defeated Dodds, 6-1, 6-4. Annika Hepp picked up the win on the No. 6 court, defeating Voss, 6-0, 6-2.
 
"Ellie and Elsa both played matches that really could have gone the other way, so for us to escape with a 5-2 win is an accomplishment for such a young team," Vest said. "We were our usual gritty selves in both the singles and doubles, and it certainly helped us again today."
 
With the win, Samford improves to 4-1 so far this season. UAB falls to 1-5 with the loss.
 
Samford will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 11, when the Bulldogs host South Alabama. The match is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start from the Samford Tennis Complex.
 
Samford Women's Tennis 5, UAB 2
Singles competition
1. KIANOUSH, Pardis (UAB) def. Savannah Wood (SAM-W) 6-0, 6-0
2. Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) def. HERRMANN, Marlene (UAB) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
3. Elsa Pool (SAM-W) def. LYNCH, Reghan (UAB) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4
4. SISIRAK, Hana (UAB) def. Nadine de Villiers (SAM-W) 6-4, 6-3
5. Arianna Beltrame (SAM-W) def. DODDS, Sophie (UAB) 6-1, 6-4
6. Annika Hepp (SAM-W) def. VOSS, Natalie (UAB) 6-0, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Annika Hepp/Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) vs. KIANOUSH, Pardis/HERRMANN, Marlene (UAB) 4-4, unfinished
2. Savannah Wood/Arianna Beltrame (SAM-W) def. DODDS, Sophie/LYNCH, Reghan (UAB) 6-3
3. Elsa Pool/Grace Jennings (SAM-W) def. SISIRAK, Hana/VOSS, Natalie (UAB) 6-2