JACKSON, Miss. – The University of West Alabama men's and women's tennis teams opened the 2010 season with convincing wins over Belhaven College on Friday.  The UWA men swept BC 9-0 while the Tiger women topped the Blazers 8-1.

In the men's match, UWA got off to a great start by sweeping all three doubles matches.  At No. 1, the tandem of Danish Ahmad and Lucas Cruz downed BC's Josh Sturgis and Robby Wright, 8-3.  James Gardner and Juan Felipe Tellez teamed up to put away Henry Mandell and Blake Hilgenkamp, 8-1.  Wade Covington and Lucas Nunes cruised past their BC foes, 8-1.  UWA parlayed the momentum from doubles into singles play as Gardner, Ahmad and Tellez won in straight sets to clinch the match. 

On the women's side, UWA claimed two doubles points to gain the edge over the Green and Gold.  The Tiger duo of Polina Babkina and Angy Cuellar blanked BC's Margaret Davenport and Tiffany Myles, 8-0.  At No. 3, UWA's Brittney Bowden and Katy Shoptaugh turned back Rachel Earnhart and Mary Khristyne Young of BC, 8-1.  In singles play, all six UWA players picked up their first win in a Red and White uniform.  Cuellar topped Natalia Krier 7-5, 7-5 at the top singles court.  Bowden claimed a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 2 while freshman Brittany Harris won a 6-2, 6-1 decision over Kristen Kelly.