#4 Elon, #2 Samford Set to Play for SoCon Women’s Tennis Title

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – For the second time in two seasons, the Elon University women’s tennis team will play in the Southern Conference Tournament finals looking for its first victory in the tournament on its last try before going to the Colonial Athletic Association. This time around, the Phoenix will take on second-seeded Samford tomorrow, April 19, at 2 p.m. at the Champions Club.

LOOKING BACK: The Phoenix avenged a 4-3 loss in the regular season today with a 4-3 victory over top-seeded Furman to advance to tomorrow’s match. In the match, Elon took what turned out to be a critical doubles point with wins on court Nos. 2 and 3. On court No. 2, Frida Jansaker and Maria Camara Ruizclinched the doubles point by winning in a close tiebreaker to give Elon the 1-0 lead. Then, Jansaker, Bryn Khoury and Barbora Lazarova clinched the match with singles victories for the Phoenix on court Nos. 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

Jansaker’s win was her team-leading 16th of the season while Lazarova’s clinching victory was her 15th of the season.

ELON vs. SAMFORD: Tomorrow’s match between the Phoenix and Bulldogs will mark the seventh all-time match between Elon and Samford. As for the series record, the two teams sit all square at 3 wins apiece. Samford topped the Phoenix earlier this season with a 5-2 victory in Birmingham, Ala. on April 5. Prior to Elon’s loss in the regular season to the Bulldogs, Elon had won the previous two meetings between the two schools.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS: Samford has had a season to remember this year, as the Bulldogs are 20-2 with losses just to No. 21 Auburn early in the year and one loss in SoCon play to Furman on March 29. In this year’s SoCon Tournament, Samford has not lost a point while sweeping Appalachian State and host-Chattanooga in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.

Tomorrow’s winner will be taking home the first SoCon Tournament championship in their program’s history. Elon fell in the SoCon title match to College of Charleston at the Jimmy Powell Tennis Center.