Trojans Falter at Samford, Winning Streak Snapped

Wednesday, April 11

Birmingham, AL

2 p.m.

Troy University

Samford University

Photo by: Tyler Myers

Trojans Falter at Samford, Winning Streak Snapped

4/11/2012 7:04:00 PM | Tennis (W)

By: Matt Mays

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Troy women's tennis team saw its six-match winning streak come to an end with a tough loss to Samford on the road on Wednesday.

The Trojans (10-7) fell to the Bulldogs (14-5) by a score of 6-1, but the match was much tighter than the score indicated. The Trojans dropped a tight doubles point, and had two singles matches end prematurely due to injury, but nonetheless they fell to SoCon front runner Samford.

Troy's newly ranked doubles duo of Lyubov Dorofeeva and Karoline Grymel fell in a tight match at number one doubles, 9-7, but after Troy had captured number three doubles with Olfa Dhauoi and Candela Munoz-Giron winning, 8-3.

The 89th-ranked Grymel and Dorofeeva had chances to win the match and give Troy the point, but squandered three straight games after leading 7-6.

Troy dropped a tight match as number two doubles, 8-6, to give the Bulldogs the first point and momentum.

Grymel, the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week, picked up the Trojans lone win in singles play as she defeated Kristin Lewis at number one, 6-2, 7-5.

At number two singles, Dorofeeva cruised through the first set, 6-1, but rolled her ankle early in the second set and was forced to retire. Gabrielle Veiga was also forced to retire due to injury at number six singles, handing Samford another point.

“Having people hurt is still no excuse,” said head coach Eric Hayes. “This team had everyone patting them on the back, telling them how good they are and today they got handled. We'll find out how good we are on Friday against Middle Tennessee.”

The match against the Blue Raiders will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Lunsford Tennis Complex where admission is free. The Trojans will close out the regular season at home on Sunday as they host North Texas at 11:00 a.m.

The Sun Belt Conference Championships begin on Thursday, April 19, in Denton, Texas.

For more information on Troy Athletics, be sure to visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or become fans on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.

Samford 6, Troy 1
Apr 11, 2012 at Birmingham, Ala. (Samford Tennis Center)

Singles competition
1. Karoline Grymel (TROY) def. Kristin Lewis (SAM) 6-2, 7-5
2. M.Janse Van Rensburg (SAM) def. Lyubov Dorofeeva (TROY) 1-6, retired
3. Stephanie N'tcha (SAM) def. Olfa Dhaoui (TROY) 6-4, 6-0
4. Rebecca Kirven (SAM) def. Candela Munoz Giron (TROY) 6-2, 6-3
5. Lindsey Mallory (SAM) def. Samya El Hsissen (TROY) 6-3, 6-0
6. Jessica Diamond (SAM) def. Gabrielle Veiga (TROY) 6-0, retired

Doubles competition
1. Kristin Lewis/Lindsey Mallory (SAM) def. #89 Lyubov Dorofeeva/Karoline Grymel (TROY) 9-7
2. Rebecca Kirven/M.Janse Van Rensburg (SAM) def. Gabrielle Veiga/Samya El Hsissen (TROY) 8-6
3. Olfa Dhaoui/Candela Munoz Giron (TROY) def. Stephanie N'tcha/Adri Lochner (SAM) 8-3

Match Notes
Troy 10-7
Samford 14-5