College of Charleston
Samford
Cougars Down Bulldogs In SoCon Opener, 6-1
3/9/2012 2:26:00 AM | Women's Tennis
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In its Southern Conference opener, the College of Charleston women's tennis team handed Samford its first home loss of the season, 6-1, on Thursday at the Samford Tennis Center.
The defending champion Cougars (5-4, 1-0 SoCon) have now won 23-straight league regular-season matches after putting together two consecutive undefeated 10-0 campaigns en route to NCAA Tournament berths in 2010 and 2011.
The Bulldogs (8-2, 0-1 SoCon) had started off the season 8-0 at their home facility and looked poised to remain unbeaten after winning the doubles point and taking the early 1-0 advantage.
CofC responded by sweeping all six singles matches with all but two being decided in straight sets. Junior Christin Newman (Greensboro, N.C.) defeated Samford's Kristin Lewis by a count of 6-1, 6-1, at the top of the order followed by sophomore Kelly Kambourelis (Melbourne, Fla.) over Stephanie N'tcha, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 2.
Freshmen Samantha Maddox (Lexington, Ky.) and Jenny Falcone (Davidson, N.C.) picked up their first SoCon wins of their careers at the No. 4 and No. 5 lines respectively to contribute to the final team tally.
"It was a good come-from-behind victory for us after losing the doubles point," CofC Director of Tennis Angelo Anastopoulo said. "But, it came at a cost, as Jamie Harrell reinjured her knee in the middle point of her doubles match. Irene Viana did a great job of covering the court and almost pulled out the victory at No. 1.
"The team did a good job of responding after losing the doubles point against a very good Samford team that doesn't lose much at home. Now, we have to get ready for a very good UT Chattanooga team tomorrow which will close out our long spring break road trip."
Up next, the Cougars will have a quick turnaround as they face Chattanooga tomorrow at 2 p.m. (ET) in Chattanooga, Tenn. The match will close out a five-match road swing for CofC.
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON 6, SAMFORD 1
March 8, 2012
Samford Tennis Center
at Birmingham, Ala.
SINGLES
No. 1 - Christin Newman (CofC) def. Kristin Lewis (Samford), 6-1, 6-1.
No. 2 - Kelly Kambourelis (CofC) def. Stephanie N'tcha (Samford), 6-3, 6-3.
No. 3 - Caroline Newman (CofC) def. M.Janse Van Rensburg (Samford), 6-4, 6-3.
No. 4 - Samantha Maddox (CofC) def. Rebecca Kirven (Samford), 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.
No. 5 - Jenny Falcone (CofC) def. Lindsey Mallory (Samford), 6-0, 7-6 (5).
No. 6 - Katie Lee (CofC) def. Emily Mallory (Samford), 7-5, 5-7, 1-0 (9).
DOUBLES
No. 1 - Kristin Lewis-Lindsey Mallory (Samford) def. Jamie Harrell-Irene Viana (CofC), 8-6.
No. 2 - Jenny Falcone-Kelly Kambourelis (CofC) def. Rebecca Kirven-M.Janse Van Rensburg (Samford), 8-4.
No. 3 - Stephanie N'tcha-Adri Lochner (Samford) def. Samantha Maddox-Christin Newman (CofC), 9-7.
Players Mentioned
