JACKSON, Miss. – The University of West Alabama tennis teams continued their strong play late in the 2012 season with two impressive wins over Delta State on Friday. The UWA men ousted No. 38 DSU, 5-4, while the Tiger women defeated the Lady Statesmen, 6-3.
 
With the victories, both teams continue their respective win streaks as Gulf South Conference action winds down. West Alabama's men's team moves to 13-5 on the year and has now won four-straight on the year, while the women's squad improves to 13-8 and has been victorious in five consecutive matches.
 
UWA started the day with two wins on the doubles courts to begin women's action. The Tigers picked up a match-opening 8-4 win on the third doubles court, before Delta State took a 9-7 triumph at the first position. It was then the UWA tandem of Angy Cuellar and Emily Gerding that gave the Tigers the lead with a 9-7 triumph at the second postion.
 
Up 2-1, the Tiger women headed to singles looking to continue the impressive form on the final six courts. West Alabama did just that as the squad allowed the Lady Statesmen to take only two triumphs. Helping the UWA cause was Natalia Cardenas who defeated her opponent, 6-3, 6-2, at the No. 1 spot, before Cuellar took a 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 victory at the second position.
 
Lisa Becker then put the match in hand with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 triumph at the fourth spot to give the Tigers the win before Gerding finished the UWA scoring with a 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 victory at the sixth and final court.
 
On the men's side, West Alabama pulled off the upset in much of the same fashion as the women's team. The Tigers once against started the match with two doubles wins to go up 2-1 heading into singles.
 
That extra win proved to be pivotal in Friday's match as the teams split the singles court in the 5-4 UWA win.  Anton Ivanov started the scoring with a 7-6, 7-5 thriller at the second court. That Tiger win was followed by  Manuel Grossman, who ousted his Statesmen counterpart, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3. Honorio Fernandez then ended the day with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at the sixth position.
 
The UWA tennis teams now return home to face Alabama A&M tomorrow at the UWA Tennis Complex. Opening serve is slated for Noon.