BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State women's tennis will look for a second SoCon victory when it travels to Birmingham, Alabama to face conference foe Samford University on March 3 at 11 a.m. 

The Mountaineers (8-2, 1-0 SoCon) face Samford following a hard fought win over SoCon opener University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, while the Bulldogs (5-4) return to the courts following a 6-1 loss at Mississippi State on Feb. 27. Sunday's match will serve as as the SoCon opener for Samford.

Kristin Lewis and Stephanie N'tcha lead Samford's doubles teams at the number one position, where they have faced a challenge, posting a 2-2 record this season. Lewis is also matched with Jessica Northcutt at No. 2 singles, where the pair have played a perfect 3-0 so far. Adri Lochner and Carita Moolman also share time in number two doubles, playing 3-2 together at that position this season, but have excelled with a 3-0 record at the No. 3 spot. 

Lewis leads Samford in singles play this season with a 6-2 record overall, played exclusively at the No. 1 position. At the middle of the lineup is Moolman, who has posted a 0-4 record at No. 3 position, but has fared more successfully at 4-1 in No. 4 singles. Emily Mallory rounds out the Bulldog lineup with a 4-0 stretch at the No. 5 spot.   

In doubles action, Mountaineer pair Ellie Linsell and Mackenize LaSure captured a victory in Appalachian's SoCon opener against UTC, improving their overall record to 6-3 in No. 1 singles. Jennifer Ansari and Clare Cox have played the middle well, posting 6-2 overall at No. 2, while Gabriela Celi has teamed with freshman Brianna Armellino to cover No. 3 singles with a 5-1 record. 

Linsell will continue to anchor Appalachian's team, as the senior has remained undefeated 9-0 in No. 1 singles this season. Just behind Linsell is newcomer Cox, covering the No. 2 position, posting a 6-3 record for the Mountaineers. Senior Jennifer Ansari has shifted within the top three positions this season, but plays the majority of the time in the number three spot, where she is currently 4-4. Freshman Brianna Armellino covers Appalachain's lower lineup with a 5-3 record in No. 5 singles, along with Gabriela Celi (2-0) and Jessica Thaggard (4-2).