Feb. 23, 2008

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's tennis team improved to 5-0 on the year with a narrow 4-3 victory at Samford on Saturday. UAB once again used the doubles point to set the tone in the match, ultimately setting up a No. 1 singles clash that was won by UAB freshman Evelien Strijker.

UAB won the doubles point after getting wins at No. 1 from senior Antonia Nugent and Strijker, 8-4, and at No. 3 by senior Seden Soyalp and freshman Jenny Cape, who won 8-5. Senior Gulsah Esen and freshman Giorgia Romeo lost 8-6 at flight three.

"This was a great college tennis match," said UAB head coach Mert Ertunga. "From the first point to the last, I felt we played some of our best tennis. Samford is a very good team and we were fortunate to win on their courts. I'm proud of the way we are developing and in all the close matches we've had, winning the doubles point has really been the difference."

Strijker won her match at No. 1 singles, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to clinch the match, while Esen won 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2. Nugent dropped a 6-3, 6-4 decision at No. 3 and Soyalp lost 7-5, 6-2 at flight four.

Cape won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 5 and Romeo dropped a hard-fought decision at flight six, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.

UAB will be back on the courts on Sunday when they travel to take on Louisiana-Monroe at 11:00 a.m.