LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Following standout performances during the fall season, University of West Alabama tennis standouts Alexa Milliam and Matias Iturbe have been recognized among the nation's elite, earning spots on the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division II Preseason Top 25 Singles Rankings.
Milliam, a sophomore from the UWA women's tennis program, checks in at No. 6 nationally and No.5 in the Region, while Iturbe, a graduate student in his first year with the Tigers, earns the No. 12 spot on the men's side along with a No.4 Region ranking. Both players' rankings follow strong showings at the Fall GSC Championships and ITA South Regional Championships, highlighting UWA's growing presence on the national tennis stage.
"Matias played through injuries this fall and still had a strong individual season," said head coach Jeff Beaman. "I feel as though Matias is the best player in the country on the men's side. For Alexa, she had an amazing freshman year last season. She just continues to impress and I expect her to break into the top-five and top-three very soon."
Milliam capped off a remarkable freshman campaign in 2025 with an 19-0 record in singles play, primarily at the No. 2 position, but also was the GSC Freshman of the Year, and was instrumental in leading West Alabama to another NCAA Tournament appearance. Her dominance carried into the fall season, where she captured multiple victories over ranked opponents and advanced to the semifinals of the ITA South Regional Championships.
At the Fall GSC Championships, Milliam teamed up with Valentina Mutilba to win the Women's Doubles Championship, finishing the weekend a perfect 4-0 and defeating Mississippi College's top tandem, 6-3, in the title match. Milliam's combination of poise, power, and consistency has made her one of the most dangerous players in Division II heading into her sophomore season.
On the men's side, Iturbe made an immediate impact in his debut fall campaign with the Tigers. The Buenos Aires, Argentina, native transferred to UWA from Division I UNC Charlotte, where he amassed over 100 career wins and helped the 49ers to an NCAA Tournament berth.
Iturbe's fall season with UWA was highlighted by a semifinal run at the ITA South Regional Championships, where he notched multiple straight-set victories over nationally recognized competition. His blend of experience, precision, and on-court leadership quickly positioned him as a cornerstone for UWA's 2025 lineup.
West Alabama continues to establish itself as one of the premier programs in the South Region, with both the men's and women's teams expected to contend for GSC titles and NCAA postseason runs this spring.
The Tigers will open their 2026 spring season in late January, with official schedules and match information available soon at uwaathletics.com.
