GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 26, 2015) - After finishing the regular season with seven wins in their last nine matches, the Buccaneers had high hopes of making a return trip to the NCAA Tournament; however, top-seeded Samford overcame ETSU, 4-1, in the title match of the Southern Conference Women's Tennis Championship in Greenville, S.C., bringing a close to the Bucs' season.

2015 marked the tenth-consecutive season ETSU advanced to the final of the conference tournament.

Samford used early wins at No. 1 and No. 2 Doubles, along with victories at No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 Singles to win the program's first conference tournament title since joining the SoCon in 2009. The Bulldogs (16-8), who also won the SoCon regular season title, will represent the conference in the upcoming NCAA Women's Tennis Championship tournament.

"Samford played well today," ETSU coach Travis Sandlant said. "They got out of the blocks quickly and we were playing catch up from the start. We fought hard all day and were very close."

The Buccaneers (15-6) narrowly lost at No. 1 Doubles, 8-6, as Samford sealed the doubles point to take an early, 1-0 match advantage.

ETSU showed tremendous resolve in singles play, forcing two positions to decisive third sets, including No. 1 Singles, where All-SoCon First Team selection Lyn Yee Choo (Kuching, Malaysia) clinched the Bucs' lone point of the day.

Choo outlasted fellow First Team selection Stephanie N'tcha, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, to cut the Bucs' deficit to 3-1; however, the Bulldogs closed out the match with a victory at No. 2 Singles by Yasmeen Ebada.

While the setback closed the book on ETSU's 2014-15 campaign, the future looks bright for the Bucs.

"The girls can hold their heads high," Sandlant said. "It was an up and down season, but I think with six of the seven girls returning next year, we will be more mature and hungry for a title."

RESULTS

Samford 4, ETSU 1

Singles competition
1. Lyn Yee Choo (ETSU) def. Stephanie N'tcha (SAM) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
2. Yasmeen Ebada (SAM) def. Regina Nychytailova (ETSU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Jessica Northcutt (SAM) def. Ana Gerbasi (ETSU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Carita Moolman (SAM) def. Ioanna Markesini (ETSU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Iva Parapunova (SAM) vs. Jessica Brumit (ETSU) 4-6, 6-5, unfinished
6. Savannah Wood (SAM) vs. Melissa Esguerra (ETSU) 6-2, 1-6, 3-3, unfinished

Doubles competition
1. Stephanie N'tcha/Carita Moolman (SAM) def. Lyn Yee Choo/Ana Gerbasi (ETSU) 8-6
2. Yasmeen Ebada/Jessica Northcutt (SAM) def. Regina Nychytailova/Jessica Brumit (ETSU) 8-2
3. Savannah Wood/AnnMarie Lyon (SAM) def. Ioanna Markesini/Melissa Esguerra (ETSU) 7-6

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (3,4,1,2)

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