BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's tennis team picked up a 5-2 Southern Conference win over Western Carolina Friday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Center.
 
"We might have gone up 4-0, but WCU didn't go away, and the last three matches were all tight," Samford head coach David Vest said. "WCU is much improved from last year, so today's win was well-earned."
 
Samford won the doubles matches at No. 1 and No. 2 to earn the first point of the match. At No. 1, Roos van der Zwaan and Ellie Gerlach defeated Jordan Strickland and Savannah Taranto, 6-2. On the No. 2 doubles court, Holly Horsfall and Elsa Pool earned a 6-2 victory over Jordyn King and Lauren McCall.
 
In singles, Samford picked up wins at No. 1, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 to secure the 5-2 victory. At No. 1, van der Zwaan defeated King, 6-1, 6-1. On the No. 4 court, Pool picked up a 6-1, 6-3 win over Taranto.
 
At the No. 5 singles position, Arianna Beltrame defeated Alexa Webb, 6-0, 6-4. On the No. 6 court, Grace Jennings defeated Caitlin Ward, 6-2, 6-3.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 9-7 overall and 3-0 in Southern Conference play. Western Carolina falls to 9-6 overall and 2-2 in league play.
 
Samford will host UNCG Saturday at 11 a.m. The match will be Senior Day for Samford, as seniors Gerlach and van der Zwaan will be honored prior to the match. Admission to the match is FREE!
 
"Tomorrow is senior day for us, so I am expecting us to battle and compete hard against UNCG to send Ellie and Roos out on a high note here on our home courts," Vest said.
 
Samford 5, Western Carolina 2
SINGLES
1. Roos van der Zwaan (SAM-W) def. Jordyn King (WCU) 6-1, 6-1
2. Jordan Strickland (WCU) def. Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) 7-5, 6-4
3. Lauren McCall (WCU) def. Holly Horsfall (SAM-W) 6-3, 6-3
4. Elsa Pool (SAM-W) def. Savannah Taranto (WCU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Arianna Beltrame (SAM-W) def. Alexa Webb (WCU) 6-0, 6-4
6. Grace Jennings (SAM-W) def. Caitlin Ward (WCU) 6-2, 6-3
 
DOUBLES
1. Roos van der Zwaan/Ellie Gerlach (SAM-W) def. Jordan Strickland/Savannah Taranto (WCU) 6-2
2. Holly Horsfall/Elsa Pool (SAM-W) def. Jordyn King/Lauren McCall (WCU) 6-2
3. Caitlin Ward/Carli Deehr (WCU) def. Arianna Beltrame/Grace Jennings (SAM-W) 6-3