BACK-TO-BACK 7-0 RESULTS IN ALABAMA DENT UTM IN SUNDAY LOSS TO SAMFORD

Sunday, February 13

Birmingham, Ala.

1 p.m.

UT Martin

Samford

BACK-TO-BACK 7-0 RESULTS IN ALABAMA DENT UTM IN SUNDAY LOSS TO SAMFORD

2/13/2022 6:57:00 PM | Tennis

BOX SCORE

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Unable to get the proverbial monkey off their back during the early stages of nonconference action, the University of Tennessee at Martin tennis team was unable to avoid an identical result to the one just 24 hours ago – a 7-0 setback against UAB – instead seeing the Samford Bulldogs deal them that same fate on Sunday afternoon in the Yellowhammer State.

Unable to pick up a win in singles or doubles territory for the second straight day, the Skyhawks fall to 0-5 in 2022 while the Bulldogs picked up their second win in as many days off the heels of a 4-3 barnburner with Western Kentucky, UTM's first opponent of the new year a couple of weeks back.

The usual duos of Sina Albersmeier/Jule Streif and Mizuki Sakurai/Jillian Niedzialowski became the first pair to come out on the losing end of two-on-two proceedings by a combined score of 12-2. Head coach Caitlyn Williams unveiled a new tandem by unlocking a Lia Espinal/Ariadna Ondo combination, although their own series with Samantha Nanere and Lauren Waddles ended unceremoniously since Samford grabbed the W in the first two duels.

Earlier in the weekend, only one singles match extended into a third set for UT Martin when facing off with the Blazers (that sole series still unfortunately fell into the opposition's favor). On Sunday, all six one-on-one contests ended at two-and-out, as no Skyhawk came within a closer score of 6-3 in a lopsided result.

In addition to UTM's empty-handed start to the semester, the navy and orange have now drifted to 21 consecutive non-conference defeats dating back to February of 2020, a 6-1 victory then over Alabama A&M.

Emerging on the losing end of six straight doubles showings and 12 straight singles meetings, the Skyhawks will look to regroup next weekend in the midst of their season-opening eight-match streak of either neutral or true road appearances, this time with an in-state trip on deck, marking their third of the year.

Taking on NCAA Division II school Carson-Newman in Knoxville, Tenn. next Saturday, UTM will hope to right the ship against a program that has reeled off consecutive 7-0 victories at the time of writing, downing Young Harris and Lees-McRae over the weekend.

Opening serve with C-N in six days is primed for a 3:00 p.m. start.