No. 12 Valdosta State Snaps 29th-Ranked UWA Win Streak

PENSACOLA, Fla.– Valdosta State snapped West Alabama's winning streak at four matches and handed the Tigers just their second Gulf South Conference loss by posting a 6-3 Gulf South Conference men's tennis win over the Tigers Saturday in a matchup of top 29 teams nationally.

No. 12 Valdosta State improved its record to 10-3 overall, 7-1 in GSC play. West Alabama, ranked 29^th, dropped to 10-4 and 6-2. The Blazers and Tigers are currently second and third, respectively, in the GSC standings.

"We pushed one of the top teams in the nation," UWA head coach Jeff Beaman said, "but in the end we just did not have quite enough."

West Alabama started well, taking two of three doubles points, but Valdosta State roared back to win five of six in singles for the match victory.

Julius Kaverinen and Linus Holthey were winners a No. 1 doubles, while Andrii Stratiienko and Henrik Sinkko won at No. 2 doubles for West Alabama. Sinkko was the Tigers' lone winner in singles, defeating Davis Stewart 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 at No. 6.

Kaverinen and Holthey are currently ranked No. 15 in the nation in doubles and held off Jordi Mas and Florian Simbozel, who are ranked 18^thnationally, by a 9-7 mark. Stratiienko and Sinkko beat Yim Kim and Fernando Rivas, 8-4.

The Tigers return to the court Tuesday at Alcorn State. First serve is set for 4:30 p.m. Valdosta State plays Delta State in Pensacola on Saturday.

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Players Mentioned

Henrik Sinkko: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Julius Kaverinen: 5' 9"; Junior

Andrii Stratiienko: 5' 10"; Senior

Linus Holthey: 6' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Henrik Sinkko
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Julius Kaverinen
: 5' 9"; Junior

Andrii Stratiienko
: 5' 10"; Senior

Linus Holthey
: 6' 3"; Junior