MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The University of West Alabama women's tennis team earned a 5-2 victory over Auburn University at Montgomery, Tuesday afternoon from the AUM Tennis Complex. 

West Alabama, ranked sixth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) preseason rankings, earns its first win of the season and is now 1-2 on the year. In the Gulf South Conference opener for UWA, the Tigers improved their GSC winning streak to 34. 

Auburn Montgomery, ranked 20th in the preseason ITA rankings, falls to 2-2 and 1-1 in GSC play. 

"The women played a very good match today. I was very impressed with how we competed across the board. Everybody stepped up today against a quality opponent, and this is the direction we need to keep going," said head coach Jeff Beaman. 

It was a battle in doubles, as the Tigers earned the points on 7-5 set score by Shaira Rivera and Hardija Vidnere at the top flight and Lolita Hukasian and Emiri Takanishi at the No. 3. Both doubles teams improved to 3-0 on the young season. 

West Alabama took four of the six singles points to clinch the match, as Khim Iglupas and Rivera won the first two flights. 

Vidnere rallied from a 6-3 loss in the opening set to win the next two, 6-1, 6-4, to take the win at the No. 4. 

Takanishi used a 7-6 (5) victory in the second set to take the No. 6 point. 

UWA increases its win streak in the series versus AUM, winning the last eight matchups after dropping the first contest in the series back in 2017. 

West Alabama will continue the season-opening road swing this weekend to continue conference play at Shorter on Friday.