BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Senior Lisa Friess produced a straight-set victory, but WKU Tennis dropped a 4-1 decision at Samford on Saturday. The Graz, Austria, native improved to a team-best 8-3 on the season in singles play.
The Bulldogs came out and clinched the doubles point after winning matches at the No. 2 and 3 spots, then Friess opened up singles play with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Grace Jennings at the No. 4 position. After that, however, Samford (7-5) won at the No. 1, 2 and 6 spots to reach the four-point mark and secure a 4-1 win.
For the Lady Toppers, both Lauren Joch at No. 3 and Laura Bernardos at No. 5 played into their third sets before being called off the courts in unfinished matches.
"Samford played very well against us in doubles but we fought very hard to get back in the match in singles," head coach Greg Davis said. "We have a tough match vs. UAB tomorrow, so we are looking to learn from our mistakes and show improvement."
WKU (6-8) continues its Alabama road trip on Sunday, March 8 with a 2 p.m. match at UAB. It will be the first Conference USA competition this season for the Lady Toppers.
Final Results
Singles (Order of finish: 4,1,6,2)
1: R.J. Van Rensberg (SAM) def. Cora-Lynn von Dungern (WKU) 6-1, 6-1
2: Natalia De Ugarte (SAM) def. Tristen Bryant-Otake (WKU) 7-5, 6-4
3: Elsa Pool (SAM) vs. Lauren Joch (WKU) 6-2, 1-6, 2-1, unfinished
4: Lisa Friess (WKU) def. Grace Jennings (SAM) 6-1, 6-1
5: Arianna Beltrame (SAM) vs. Laura Bernardos (WKU) 4-6, 6-0, 4-0, unfinished
6: Holly Horsfall (SAM) def. Zoe Wende (WKU) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles (Order of finish 3,2)
1: Van Rensburg/Pool (SAM) vs. Friess/von Dungern (WKU) 5-3, unfinished
2: Beltrame/De Ugarte (SAM) def. Bryant-Otake/Joch (WKU) 6-3
3: Horsfall/Jennings (SAM) def. Bernardos/Wende (WKU) 6-2
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