Nov. 16, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford men's tennis team has signed two young athletes in this year's early signing period. Carson Kadi and Michael Browder with join the Bulldog squad next season.

Kadi comes to Samford from Jesuit High School out of New Orleans. La. He is currently ranked 28th in the Southern Section and 116th nationally by Tennisrecruiting.net. He captured both the Louisiana Junior State Championship and Louisianan State Clay Court titles in 2007. The junior is ranked second in the state of Louisiana and hold a 3.4 GPA.

"Carson is a tremendous athlete who will help solidify the middle of our lineup immediately," Samford head coach Kemper Baker said. "His potential for improvement is huge and the fact that he is left-handed will make him a huge asset to our team in practices as well as on match days. We are glad that he has chosen to continue his academic and athletic career here at Samford."

Browder is a native of Newnan, Ga., and hails from The Heritage School. He is currently ranked 26th in the Southern Section and 160th nationally by Tennisrecruiting.net. He ranks fourth overall in Georgia and helped lead Team Georgia to the USTA Southern Junior Davis Cup Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn., this past summer. He placed third in the Southern Section Winter Closed Championships in Knoxville, Tenn., and maintains a 3.46 GPA at Heritage.

"Michael is an awesome addition to our tennis program," Baker said. "He has a record of athletic and academic success that will make him a valuable part of our tennis program. He is one of the most intelligent players in the Southern Section and has the physical tools to reach the highest levels of the collegiate game. He should make an immediate impact in both singles and doubles and we look forward to having him here at Samford."