Trojans Drop Tight Match at Samford

Thursday, February 21

Birmingham, Ala.

2:00 p.m.

Troy University

Samford

Photo by: Troy University

2/21/2013 8:51:00 PM | Tennis (M)

By: Matt Mays

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Troy men's tennis team couldn't win all of the tight matches and fell at Samford, 5-2, on Thursday in a match that moved indoors during singles play due to rain.

“Until these young men start to pull out tight sets and matches, they will not succeed,” Troy head coach Eric Hayes said. “You must step up and execute when there is tremendous pressure and Samford did that.

“We are a talented team, but unfortunately that is a small part of winning. You must mentally believe you can win no matter the circumstances.”

Troy (1-6) was swept in three very close doubles matches as Samford (4-2) took the opening point. The Trojans lost by scores of 8-6 at first and second doubles and dropped the third doubles match in a tiebreak.

To start singles play, Troy fell into a 3-0 hole with losses at second and fifth singles before the match was moved indoors. When the teams moved indoors, three of the remaining singles matches were beginning third sets.

Troy won two of those as Anas Rouchdi won at first singles and Tadju Davies won at sixth singles, but the Trojans couldn't hold at third singles in a three-set match and also lost at fourth singles to give Samford the win.

Complete results are below. The Trojans return to the court Saturday as they host Florida A&M at the Lunsford Tennis Complex at 2 p.m. as part of a doubleheader. The Troy women are set to host Georgia Southern at 10 a.m.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.

Samford 5, Troy 2

Singles competition
1. Anas Rouchdi (TROY) def. Zac Dunkle (SAM) 3-6, 6-4, def.
2. Elliot Barnwell (SAM) def. Mansingh Athare (TROY) 6-2, 6-2
3. Fares Kilani (SAM) def. Daniel Bustamante (TROY) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
4. Austin Akers (SAM) def. Sami Ghorbel (TROY) 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
5. Alex Sajonz (SAM) def. Patrick Eichler (TROY) 6-0, 6-3
6. Tadju Davies (TROY) def. Garrison Laduca (SAM) 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (8-4)

Doubles competition
1. Zac Dunkle/Garrison Laduca (SAM) def. Sami Ghorbel/Mansingh Athare (TROY) 8-6
2. Elliot Barnwell/Austin Akers (SAM) def. Tommy Cundy/Andre Stabile (TROY) 8-6
3. Fares Kilani/Alex Sajonz (SAM) def. Anas Rouchdi/Patrick Eichler (TROY) 9-8

Match Notes
Troy 1-6
Samford 4-2
T-4:21 A-83