BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – For the fifth time this season, the Eastern Kentucky University men’s tennis team fell to a nationally-ranked opponent as No. 59 Samford cruised to a 7-0 victory over the Colonels.

EKU (5-9) has now dropped three straight matches. Freshmen Lucas Smets (No. 4) and Florian Graskamp (No. 6) both forced a third set in their respective matches, but neither player could come away with a win.

“I think it was tough to expect a lot from of our guys playing their first outdoor match of the season against the No. 59 team in the country,” EKU head coach Rob Oertel said. “Lucas was down 5-0 in the second set, so his comeback is a positive that he can take out of today’s match. Unfortunately, he dropped the super tie-breaker. The overall play of Daridge Saidi at No. 1 singles was another bright spot for us.”

Eastern Kentucky continues its Spring Break trip on Tuesday, March 12 in Fort Walton, Fla., against Troy.

No. 59 Samford 7, Eastern Kentucky 0

Singles
1. Zac Dunkle (SAM) def. Daridge Saidi (EKU)   7-6 (3), 6-4
2. Elliot Barnwell (SAM) def. Alex Alvaro (EKU)   6-1, 6-1
3. Fares Kilani (SAM) def. Juanjo de la Llera (EKU)  6-1, 6-1
4. Alex Sajonz (SAM) def. Lucas Smets (EKU)    6-3, 5-7, (10-7)
5. Austin Akers (SAM) def. Joao Maio (EKU)   6-3, 6-3
6. Garrison Laduca (SAM) def. Florian Graskamp (EKU)   3-6, 6-3, 6-1

Doubles
1. #36 Dunkle/Laduca (SAM) def. Alvaro/de la Llera (EKU)  8-1
2. Akers/Barnwell (SAM) def. Maio/Saidi (EKU)    8-2
3. Kilani/Sajonz (SAM) led Dombrowski/Smets (EKU)   7-2 DNF

Match Notes: Eastern Kentucky (5-9); No. 59 Samford (6-4)
Order of Finish: Doubles (1, 2); Singles (2, 3, 5*, 1, 6, 4)