ELON, N.C. – The Elon women’s tennis team suffered its first home loss of the season, dropping a 5-2 decision to the Samford Bulldogs in Southern Conference action at The Jimmy Powell Tennis Center on Saturday afternoon. Prior to the loss, the Phoenix (13-5, 4-2) had won eight straight matches on its home courts. The victory marked the fifth straight for Samford (13-5, 5-1).

Samford got off to a strong start, earning victories at number one and two doubles to take the early lead. The Bulldogs Andrie Meiring and Rebecca Kirven took an 8-2 win over Lauren Sessoms and Laura Graybill on court two. Elon’s Anna Milian and Elisa Simonetti posted their 13^th consecutive victory, defeating Taylor Morgan and Lindsey Mallory, 8-5, at number one. With the doubles point riding on the result at number three, Samford’s Madelie van Rensburg and Stephanie Parkison managed an 8-5 decision over Paige Kensrue and Briana Berne at number three. 

The Bulldogs fed off the momentum from doubles action and took straight set victories at number four, five and six singles before Elon got on the board. Parkison topped Berne, 6-4, 6-1, on court four and Rebecca Kirven made in 3-0 in favor of the visitors by defeating Sessoms, 6-2, 6-4, at number five. Mallory clinched the match for Samford, earning a 6-1, 6-1 result over Graybill.

Milian got the first win of the afternoon for the Phoenix, winning her 10^th straight match with a 6-2, 7-6 decision against Morgan at number one. Kensrue followed suit, battling for a 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 win over Meiring on court two. In the final match of the day, van Rensburg pulled out a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Simonetti, ending the sophomore’s eight-match winning streak.

Elon will be back at home on Tuesday, April 6 for a 3 p.m. match against the Davidson Wildcats.