BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (January 30, 2026) – The University of North Alabama women's tennis team narrowly dropped a 4-3 away bout Friday at Samford in Birmingham, Ala.

The Lions (1-2) suffered the setback vs. the Bulldogs but made it competitive battle between the two in-state rivals. North Alabama responded from dropping doubles to storm out to three singles match victories. The early Samford advantage proved the difference as the Bulldogs' also claimed three singles wins to clinch the home win over UNA.

Samford (2-1) struck first with two doubles victories from the top and third flight. Juniors Emma Ansorge and No. 104 Mathilde Delaney held a 4-3 advantage from the second flight before the clinching result from court three.

North Alabama answered back from the dropped doubles point to take three of the first four singles bouts.

Senior Eeva Ristola cruised to her second win of the season after a 6-2, 6-2 win from court one over Samford's Lea Erenda. Ansorge also claimed her second season win in a 6-4, 6-3 victory from court two against Sara Erenda. The Bulldogs secured their first singles win from court three, but junior Louise Booker earned UNA's third point and her second season win with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 battle from court five over Hailey Troup.

The final two matches resulted in Samford wins, but both were contested three-set bouts.

Senior Senem Ocal was victorious in her first set against Catherin Cardona-Carballosa, but Cardona-Carballosa rallied back to win 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 from the sixth flight. Freshman Sammie Schouten forced a deciding set in her match against Laila Fishman, but the Samford Bulldog held on for a 7-6, 5-7, 6-2.

Delaney dropped her bout from flight no. 3, but she rallied from a set down to force the third set. Samford's Eleni Liakonis won set one, 6-2, but Delaney answered back with a 6-4 result in set two. Liakonis was able to secure the match win with a 6-4 win in set three.


Samford 4, North Alabama 3

Doubles

1. Sara Erenda/Lea Erenda (SAM) def. Eeva Ristola/Farah Asaad (UNA), 6-1
2. Emma Ansorge/Mathilde Delaney (UNA) vs. Hailey Troup/Eleni Liakonis (SAM), 4-3, unfinished
3. Laila Fishman/Catherin Cardona-Carballosa (SAM) def. Louise Booker/Sammie Schouten (UNA), 6-3

Singles

1. Eeva Ristola (UNA) def. Lea Erenda (SAM), 6-2, 6-2
2. Emma Ansorge (UNA) def. Sara Erenda (SAM), 6-4, 6-3
3. Eleni Liakonis (SAM) def. #104 Mathilde Delaney (UNA), 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
4. Laila Fishman (SAM) def. Sammie Schouten (UNA), 7-6, 5-7, 6-2
5. Louise Booker (UNA) def. Hailey Troup (SAM), 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
6. Catherin Cardona-Carballosa (SAM) def. Senem Ocal (UNA), 4-6, 6-2, 7-5


Match Notes

Samford: 2-1
North Alabama: 1-2

Order of Finish – Doubles: (1,3) Singles (1,2,3,5,6,4)


COMING UP NEXT

UNA preps for a three-match outing in Jackson, Miss. on Friday, Feb. 6 to face Louisiana at 10 a.m., Jackson State at 2 p.m. and Mississippi Valley State at 5 p.m.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.