BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford men's tennis team earned its first win of the spring season with a 5-2 victory over Kennesaw State Sunday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Center.
 
Samford won the doubles point, winning on courts two and three. Freshmen Rossouw Norval and Aleksandar Petrovic clinched the point by defeating Lucas De Tores Curth and Drew Lahey, 7-6 at No. 2. On the No. 3 court, Max Rebol and Justin Ghavami defeated Corey Smith and Bryan Triana, 6-3.
 
"Today was a good competitive test for us," Samford head coach Rahim Esmail said. "We had to compete hard to get the win today. The doubles point was very key today; the two freshmen did a great job of stepping up at the end of the match and raising their level. Rossouw and Alex played their best tennis in the tie breaker and the two games leading up to it."
 
In singles, Samford picked up wins at No. 2, No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6 to earn the victory. At No. 2, Ghavami defeated Curth, 7-6, 6-0. On the No. 3 court, Eduardo Lourido earned a 6-2, 6-3 win over Manuel Castellanos. At No. 5 singles, Petrovic defeated Triana, 7-5, 6-3. On the No. 6 court, Rebol defeated Lahey, 6-2, 6-2.
 
"We did a good job in singles today," Esmail said. "We got on top of them early on most courts, but did an even better job in our second sets once we had gained some momentum and given ourselves the opportunity to settle into the match. Max played convincing tennis today. He didn't play his best tennis, but played solid and composed throughout."
 
With the win, Samford improves to 1-1 on the young season. Kennesaw State falls to 0-1 with the loss.
 
Samford will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 27, when the Bulldogs host Alabama State. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Samford Tennis Center.
 
Samford 5, Kennesaw State 2
SINGLES
1. Fermin Calvo Barcelo (KSU) def. Jake Faundez (SAM-M) 7-5, 6-2
2. Justin Ghavami (SAM-M) def. Lucas De Tores Curth (KSU) 7-6, 6-0
3. Eduardo Lourido (SAM-M) def. Manuel Castellanos (KSU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Corey Smith (KSU) def. Rossouw Norval (SAM-M) 6-4, 6-1
5. Aleksandar Petrovic (SAM-M) def. Bryan Triana (KSU) 7-5, 6-3
6. Max Rebol (SAM-M) def. Drew Lahey (KSU) 6-2, 6-2
 
DOUBLES
1. Fermin Calvo Barcelo/Manuel Castellanos (KSU) def. Jake Faundez/Eduardo Lourido (SAM-M) 6-4
2. Rossouw Norval/Aleksandar Petrovic (SAM-M) def. Lucas De Tores Curth/Drew Lahey (KSU) 7-6
3. Max Rebol/Justin Ghavami (SAM-M) def. Corey Smith/Bryan Triana (KSU) 6-3