BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University women's tennis lost its second-straight match as it fell by a 4-3 final to Samford in its Southern Conference opener on Saturday at Yonahlossee Racquet Club.

The Mountaineers (3-6, 0-1 SoCon) fought from behind in their first conference match of the season as the Bulldogs (6-1, 1-0) took the early lead by inning the doubles point before going on to win three of the six singles matches.

Appalachian's No. 1 duo of Gabrielle Wreder/Mackenzie LaSure was knocked off first by Samford as it lost 8-3 before the No. 3 doubles team of Olivia Isbey/McKayla Zupan fell 8-2. The No. 2 doubles team of Clare Cox/Megan Mullen also fell by a final of 8-3

Despite its best efforts to rally in singles play, Appalachian was unable to grab four points in the remaining six matches. Yasmeen Ebada defeated Wreder at the No. 3 singles 6-3, 6-2 while LaSure lost to Stephanie N'tcha 6-4, 6-3

Cox was the first to win a point for Appalachian as she defeated Kristin Lewis 6-1, 6-3 at No. 1. The Bulldogs' Lauren Cabellero defeated Zupan at the No. 6 spot 6-3, 6-3 to secure the match win for Samford.

The Mountaineers played out their final two matches as Brianna Armellino snagged the win at No. 4, winning 6-4, 6-4 against Jessica Northcutt while Jessica Thaggard battled hard to come back from an early deficit to earn a tiebreaker. She carried her momentum into the extra-set where she won, finishing 4-6, 7-6, 10-7.

Appalachian will move on to play Charlotte as it finishes out a four-game homestand on Monday. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Yonahlossee Racquet Club.

Samford 4, Appalachian State 3
Mar 1, 2014 at Boone, N.C. (Yonahlossee Racquet Club)