BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's tennis team opened Southern Conference play with a 6-1 win over Mercer Thursday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Center.
 
After dropping the doubles match on the No. 1 court, Samford came back to take the matches at No. 2 and No. 3 to secure the doubles point. At No. 2, Holly Horsfall and Elsa Pool defeated Christie Cesarini and Celine Schepers, 6-2. On the No. 3 doubles court, Arianna Beltrame and Grace Jennings earned a 6-2 victory Marie Mottet and Lucia Gutierrez.
 
In singles, Samford earned wins at No. 1, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 to take the 6-1 victory. At No. 1, Roos van der Zwaan defeated Katie Sidor, 6-2, 6-0. On the No. 3 singles court, Horsfall defeated Schepers, 7-5, 5-7, 10-5.
 
At No. 4 singles, Pool earned a 6-2, 4-6, 10-4 win over Grace Korta. At No. 5, Beltrame defeated Maeva Roquebert, 7-5, 6-1. On the No. 6 singles court, Jennings defeated Gutierrez, 6-2, 6-1.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 7-7 overall and 1-0 in Southern Conference play. Mercer falls to 7-9 overall and 0-3 in SoCon play with the loss.
 
Samford will host Chattanooga Saturday. The match is set to begin at 11 a.m. at the Samford Tennis Center.
 
Samford 6, Mercer 1
SINGLES
1. Roos van der Zwaan (SAM-W) def. Katie Sidor (MER-W) 6-2, 6-0
2. Marie Mottet (MER-W) def. Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) 6-2, 7-5
3. Holly Horsfall (SAM-W) def. Celine Schepers (MER-W) 7-5, 5-7, 10-5
4. Elsa Pool (SAM-W) def. Grace Korta (MER-W) 6-2, 4-6, 10-4
5. Arianna Beltrame (SAM-W) def. Maeva Roquebert (MER-W) 7-5, 6-1
6. Grace Jennings (SAM-W) def. Lucia Gutierrez (MER-W) 6-2, 6-1
 
DOUBLES
1. Katie Sidor/Grace Korta (MER-W) def. Roos van der Zwaan/Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) 7-5
2. Holly Horsfall/Elsa Pool (SAM-W) def. Christie Cesarini/Celine Schepers (MER-W) 6-2
3. Arianna Beltrame/Grace Jennings (SAM-W) def. Marie Mottet/Lucia Gutierrez (MER-W) 6-2