LIVINGSTON, Ala. – After dropping two of three doubles matches to West Alabama, fifth-ranked West Florida stormed back to win every singles point on the way to a 7-2 Gulf South Conference women's tennis victory Monday at the Vaughan Tennis Complex.
 
West Florida, also ranked third in the NCAA Division II South Region, improved its record to 5-0 overall, 4-0 in GSC play. West Alabama is 2-2 and 1-1.
 
"We obviously got off to a good start," UWA coach Jeff Beaman said. "We had a chance in two or three singles matches but let them get away."
 
West Alabama won at No. 2 and 3 doubles. Julie Gonzalez-Rodriguez and Evelyn Moreno (UWA) defeated Valeria Mantilla and Ines Nicault, 8-6, at No. 2, while Liliana Araucz and Imperia Martinez Mora beat Diana Vlad and Samantha Echevarria, 8-4, at No. 3.
 
Paula Coyos and Jordana Lajun, the No. 12 team in the nation at doubles, defeated Katia De La Garza and Georgina Salom, 9-7, at No. 1 for the Argos' lone doubles point.
 
"West Florida is obviously a solid team," Beaman said. "Still, we hung in and gave them a run with one of our better players sidelined while she continues to battle back from injury."
 
De La Garza made Coyos, the No. 11 singles player in the nation, work for a 6-3, 7-5 win at No. 1 singles. Salom, Mora and Araucz had had chances in their matches but came up short.
 
Both teams return to action Friday. West Alabama is host to Auburn-Montgomery and West Florida visits Rollins College.
 
#5 West Florida 7, West Alabama 2
 
Doubles competition
1. #12 Paula Coyos/Jordana Lujan (UWF) def. Katia De La Garza/Georgina Salom (UWA) 9-7
2. Julie Gonzalez-Rodriguez/Evelyn Moreno (UWA) def. Valeria Mantilla/Ines Nicault (UWF) 8-6
3. Liliana Araucz/Imperia Martinez Mora (UWA) def. Diana Vlad/Samantha Echevarria (UWF) 8-4
 
Singles competition
1. #11 Paula Coyos (UWF) def. Katia De La Garza (UWA) 6-3, 7-5
2. Ines Nicault (UWF) def. Evelyn Moreno (UWA) 6-1, 6-1
3. Jordana Lujan (UWF) def. Julie Gonzalez-Rodriguez (UWA) 6-3, 6-0
4. Valeria Mantilla (UWF) def. Georgina Salom (UWA) 6-2, 7-5
5. #36 Diana Vlad (UWF) def. Imperia Martinez Mora (UWA) 6-4, 7-6 (5-0)
6. Heather Mixon (UWF) def. Liliana Araucz (UWA) 6-2, 7-5