Box Score The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's tennis team dropped a 4-2 match to Samford in the first round of the Southern Conference Tournament in Greenville, S.C. today.  The Mocs won one doubles match and two singles bouts in today's loss.

Chattanooga's No. 2 doubles team of sophomores Delaney Edwards and Sydney Patton opened with a 6-3 win over Elsa Pool and Annika Hepp.  The Bulldogs countered with a win at No. 1, but the No. 3 match was locked in a tight battle. 

Sophomores Mckenzie Barco and Caroline Hall lost in a tie breaker [7-6 (2)] to Savannah Wood and Arianna Beltrame to give Samford the opening 1-0 lead.

Hall put the Mocs on the board with a (6-2, 6-2) win over Poll at No. 3, but Samford went back up 2-1 with a victory at No. 6. 

Junior Samantha Caswell avenged last week's three-set loss to Ellie Gerlach with a (6-4, 6-3) win at No. 1 today.  That tied the team score at 2-2 with three matches left. 

Senior Rachele Gazzola was up in her match at No. 5, but Samford closed out the win with three-set victories at No. 4 and No. 2.   

"I am very proud of this team and the accomplishments over the season," stated UTC head coach Chad Camper.  "We had a few chances in doubles and in singles but just couldn't come out on top.

UTC ends the year with a 14-8 overall record.  It is the sixth consecutive season the Mocs have reached the 14-win mark. 

"There were a lot of lessons learned today and we walk out determined to come back stronger next season."

Chattanooga vs Samford
Apr 21, 2017 at Spartanburg, S.C.
Samford 4, Chattanooga 2

Doubles competition
1. Ellie Gerlach/Grace Jennings (SAM) def. Samantha Caswell/Rachele Gazzola (UTC) 6-4
2. Delaney Edwards/Sydney Patton (UTC) def. Elsa Pool/Annika Hepp (SAM) 6-3
3. Savannah Wood/Arianna Beltrame (SAM) def. Mckenzie Barco/Caroline Hall (UTC) 7-6 (7-2)

Singles competition
1. Samantha Caswell (UTC) def. Ellie Gerlach (SAM) 6-4, 6-3
2. Savannah Wood (SAM) def. Delaney Edwards (UTC) 2-6, 6-3, 6-3
3. Caroline Hall (UTC) def. Elsa Pool (SAM) 6-2, 6-2
4. Grace Jennings (SAM) def. Sydney Patton (UTC) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
5. Arianna Beltrame (SAM) vs. Rachele Gazzola (UTC) 5-7, 5-6, unfinished
6. Annika Hepp (SAM) def. Mckenzie Barco (UTC) 6-4, 6-2

Match Notes:
Chattanooga 14-7, 4-3 SoCon
Samford Women's Tennis 13-9, 4-3 SoCon
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,6,1,4,2)
T-3:14 A-210