LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama tennis teams fell to New Orleans Thursday in the conference opener for both squads. The UWA women dropped a 9-0 match, while the Tiger men fell in a tight 5-4 contest.
 
With the loss, the men's team falls to 5-2 on the year, while the West Alabama women's squad evens its record to 3-3 on the season.
 
West Alabama started the day with a tough 9-0 loss in women's tennis action. The Tiger netters were beat at every position, with each UNO player winning in straight sets.
 
The men's tennis match was much different as UWA battled in a tight 5-4 loss to the Privateers. UNO started the day taking two out of three doubles courts with the Tiger tandem of Anton Ivanov and Kike Ruiz the lone winners in an 8-3 triumph at court No. 2.
 
Down 2-1, each team then split the singles courts as UNO took home the needed three to clinch the match. Anton Ivanov took a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over his counterpart at the second position, while Manuel Grossman took a 6-2, 7-5 win at the fourth spot. Honorio Fernandez then rounded out the day for the Tigers with a 6-4, 6-1 victory at the sixth and final court.
 
The Tigers now face Valdosta State Saturday at 1p.m. in Livingston, Ala.

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