BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford women's tennis team earned a hard-fought 4-3 victory over North Alabama in a tightly contested non-conference match up Friday at the Samford Tennis Center. The win lifts the Bulldogs to 2-1 on the season and keeps them unbeaten at home. 

Samford jumped ahead early by clinching the doubles point, highlighted by a 6-1 win from the pairing of Lea Erenda and Sara Erenda, along with a 6-3 victory from Laila Fishman and Cathy Cardona-Carballosa. The Bulldogs' strong start secured the crucial opening point. 

In singles action, North Alabama claimed two wins to take a brief lead, but Samford responded with grit and resilience. Eleni Liakonis rallied for a three-set victory (6-2, 4-6, 6-4), while Laila Fishman delivered another comeback, winning 7-6, 5-7, 6-2. The deciding point came down to Cathy Cardona-Carballosa, who fought through a tense third set to earn a 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 win and clinch the match for the Bulldogs. 

Both Laila Fishman and Cathy Cardona-Carballosa played pivotal roles, each posting wins in both singles and doubles. The Bulldogs also showcased their depth with three singles victories coming in matches that stretched to a decisive third set, underlining their competitive spirit throughout the afternoon. 

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For the latest news and information on Samford women's tennis, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordWTennis (Twitter), and @Samfordwomenstennis (Instagram).