MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The No. 9 University of West Alabama women's tennis team snagged its fifth consecutive Gulf South Conference Regular Season Championship with a 6-1 victory over the University of Montevallo, Tuesday afternoon. 

UWA will enter the 2024 GSC Championship next weekend as the No. 1 seed after wrapping up the regular season crown on Tuesday with one match to go on the schedule. The postseason is scheduled to start next Saturday, April 27 from Lagoon Park in Montgomery. 

The Tigers secured their fifth consecutive regular season crown (2019-21-22-23-24). The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the regular season was halted in the middle of the year. 

"The women need to feel that they are a great team. We need to have that self-confidence and energy and think about nothing other than going out and playing to our ability. We have 10 women who are good players, and we can go out and compete with anybody in the nation," said head coach Jeff Beaman. 

With Tuesday's win, the Tigers improve to 13-8 and 9-0 in the GSC as they earn their 42nd consecutive regular season conference match. The Falcons fall to 9-10 and 4-6. 

"Today was a battle. I feel that Montevallo really showed up; they are playing well here at the end of the year. This match could have gone either way, but this does not mean much until we go out and play on Thursday," added Jeff Beaman. 

UWA would take two of three in doubles to get out on the board first. No. 10 Shaira Rivera and Hardija Vidnere (12-3) won their fourth straight at the top flight by a 6-4 score. 

Khim Iglupas and Heden Ly (11-3) cruised to a 6-2 win at the No. 2 to help seal the doubles point. 

In singles, the Falcons and Tigers saw five of the six points go to a deciding third set. The lone straight-set victory went to Iglupas (16-1) at the top flight. The graduate student earned her 12th consecutive win at the No. 1 flight. 

The Tigers clinched the match with Rivera's (12-3) three set victory over Claire Jaramba, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. 

Ly (8-9), Valentina Mutilba (6-3) and Vidnere (8-9) also picked up wins in singles and all were in straight sets.

West Alabama will wrap up the regular season on Thursday afternoon at Mississippi College.