BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Samford women's tennis team opened its home slate of weekend matches with a 5-2 victory over Alabama State Saturday at the Samford Tennis Center.
 
The Bulldogs secured their first win of the season, improving to 1-1, and handed Alabama State a loss in its first match of the season.
 
Samford gained all five of their points from singles match wins. Samantha Maras (6-0, 4-6, 10-1), Margaret Jaraczewski (1-6, 6-1, 6-4), and Noelle Mauro (4-6, 6-0, 6-4) all won their singles matches in three sets while Emily Surcey (6-2, 7-6) and Alexis Lopez (6-1, 6-1) clinched their matches in two sets.
 
On the No. 3 doubles court, Lopex and Grace Keller teamed up to defeat Sarah Bouchaala and Melisa Mekic for the Bulldogs' only doubles match win (6-0). Alabama State won the other two doubles matches to earn the doubles point.
 
Samford returns to the court on Sunday, Jan. 28 to host North Alabama at 3 p.m. (CST) at the Samford Tennis Center.
 
Samford 5, Alabama State 2
Singles Competition
1. Alexis Lopez (SAMW) def. Lizaveta Demchenko (ALST) 6-1, 6-1
2. Emily Surcey (SAMW) def. Madalena Andrade (ALST) 6-2, 7-6
3. Sahra Bouchaala (ALST) def. Ally Hayduk (SAMW) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
4. Noelle Mauro (SAMW) def. Carmelle Vial (ALST) 4-6, 6-0, 6-4
5. Margaret Jaraczewski (SAMW) def. Melisa Mekic (ALST) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
6. Samantha Maras (SAMW) def. Ena Arnautovic (ALST) 6-0, 4-6, 10-1
 
Doubles Competition
1. Lizaveta Demchenko/Ena Arnautovic (ALST) def. Noelle Mauro/Margaret Jaraczewski (SAMW) 7-6
2. Carmelle Vial/Madalena Andrade (ALST) def. Emily Surcey/Ally Hayduk (SAMW) 6-5
3. Alexis Lopez/Grace Keller (SAMW) def. Sahra Bouchaala/Melisa Mekic (ALST) 6-0
 
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