MACON, Ga. – The Samford men's tennis team earned a share of the Southern Conference regular-season title with a 4-3 win at Mercer Saturday afternoon.
 
"Today was an incredible day for this team," Samford head coach Oliver Reynolds said. "We have been extremely close the last couple of years, so to see this team show up and compete at their best levels today was huge for us as we head into the SoCon Tournament. This was a great team victory. I am looking forward to what they will be able to do as we move into the conference tournament next week."
 
With the win, Samford improved its record to 16-5 overall and 6-1 in Southern Conference play. Mercer fell to 11-7 overall and 6-1 in league play.
 
Mercer took the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions to take the early 1-0 lead.
 
Samford tied the score when J.B. Pickard defeated Tom Hagelauer, 6-4, 6-0, on the No. 4 court. At the No. 2 position, Darcy Nicholls defeated Isak Padio, 6-4, 6-0, to give Samford a 2-1 lead. On the No. 1 singles court, Mercer's Nemanja Stefanovic defeated Sandeep Mohandoss, 6-4, 6-1, to tie the score at 2-2.
 
On the No. 3 singles court, Hayden Menon defeated Prince Gandonou, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2), for a 3-2 Samford lead. Samford secured the win at No. 5 singles where Sebastian Harrison defeated Marceau Fouilhoux, 7-5, 6-3, giving Samford a 4-2 lead. Mercer took the match at No 6 singles to make the final score 4-3.
 
"Darcy and J.B. gave us a huge early start in singles to give us a 2-1 lead before Mercer tied it back up at 2-2," Reynolds said. "Our true freshman Hayden battled back from down 5-1 to give us a 7-6 second set win on court three. Shortly after Sebastian Harrison clinched the match at No. 5 over a guy that has won a lot of matches for them."
 
Samford will next compete in the Southern Conference Tournament, April 17-19 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
 
Samford 4, Mercer 3
Singles Competition
1. Nemanja Stefanovic (MER) def. Sandeep Mohandoss (SAM) 6-4, 6-1
2. Darcy Nicholls (SAM) def. Isak Padio (MER) 6-4, 6-0
3. Hayden Menon (SAM) def. Prince Gandonou (MER) 6-1, 7-6 (7-2)
4. J.B. Pickard (SAM) def. Tom Hagelauer (MER) 6-4, 6-0
5. Sebastian Harrison (SAM) def. Marceau Fouilhoux (MER) 7-5, 6-3
6. Howell Burns (MER) def. Santiago Arredondo (SAM) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
 
Doubles Competition
1. Darcy Nicholls/J.B. Pickard (SAM) def. Prince Gandonou/Isak Padio (MER) 6-4
2. Marceau Fouilhoux/Nemanja Stefanovic (MER) def. Santiago Arredondo/Sandeep Mohandoss (SAM) 6-4
3. Howell Burns/Esteban Gasser (MER) def. Sebastian Harrison/Vitorio Sardinha (SAM) 6-4
 
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