Middle Tennessee Beats Samford 6-1 in the Adams Tennis Complex

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee women’s tennis (7-6, 1-2) takes down Samford (4-4) at 6-1 inside the Adams Tennis Complex Friday afternoon.

With the win the Blue Raiders move to 7-6 (.538) on the season. “Overall, we were pretty solid today, we were able to use and implement some of the drills we worked on in practices this week. We will continue to use those tools to build on managing unforced errors and when we get our opponent out of position and in trouble, sneaking in and taking away that time.” Head Coach Tayo Bailey-Duvall said.
 
In doubles, the Blue Raiders cruised on both courts that finished by a total of 12-3. Sophomore Lilly-Sophie Schmidt and Junior Love-Star Alexis won their fifth doubles match in a row in finished sets with a 6-1 finisher. Senior Zani Barnard and Freshman Eloise Swarbrick claimed the doubles point with a 6-1 finish over Olivia Jablonski and Lindsay Song.
 
In singles, the Blue Raiders claimed five of six first singles sets over the Bulldogs. Alexis finished first with a 6-3, 6-2 win on court No. 3.
 
Senior Lee Barnard fell to R.J Van Rensburg in two sets 6-3, 6-4. Her sister Z. Barnard avenged her minutes later with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 dominant second set over Ally Hayduk to put MT up one.
 
New Delhi, India native Muskan Gupta clinched the match at 4-1 with a 7-5, 6-3 triumph on the Blue Raider court two.
 
Junior Noelle Mauro and Schmidt were allowed to finish their matches, both coming away with three-set victories pushing the MT win to 6-1.
 
Next Up
The Blue Raiders are back in action Sunday, Feb. 20 at Noon against Ball State inside the Adams Tennis Complex. This will be their last home match until Middle Tennessee hosts conference foe UAB on Saturday, April 16. One week later MT will host the 2022 C-USA women’s tennis championship at the ATC.
 
Singles competition
1. R.J. Van Rensburg (SAM-W) def. Lee Barnard (MTW) 6-3, 6-4
2. Muskan Gupta (MTW) def. Samantha Nanere (SAM-W) 7-5, 6-3
3. Love-Star Alexis (MTW) def. Alexis Lopez (SAM-W) 6-3, 6-2
4. Zani Barnard (MTW) def. Ally Hayduk (SAM-W) 7-6 (7-3), 6-2
5. Noelle Mauro (MTW) def. Olivia Jablonski (SAM-W) 6-4, 0-6, 6-4
6. Lilly-Sophie Schmidt (MTW) def. Lindsay Song (SAM-W) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
Singles (3,1,4,2,5,6)
 
Doubles competition
1. Lee Barnard/Noelle Mauro (MTW) vs. R.J. Rensburg/Alexis Lopez (SAM-W) 4-3, unfinished
2. Zani Barnard/Eloise Swarbrick (MTW) def. Olivia Jablonski/Lindsay Song (SAM-W) 6-2
3. Lilly-Sophie Schmidt/Love-Star Alexis (MTW) def. S. Nanere/S. Zaprianov (SAM-W) 6-1
Doubles (3,2)