LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Tennis program is set to open up their 2026 Spring Season at home this weekend.

The West Alabama Men will open up their campaign on Friday with a 2:00 p.m. matchup against Spring Hill followed by a contest against Tuskegee on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. As for the Women, the Tigers will begin their regular season on Saturday against Tuskegee at 1:00 p.m. as well.

WEST ALABAMA MEN

UWA enters the new season, returning top players in Afonso Portugal and Jacob Tapia while adding Matias Iturbe, Gabriel Garay, Joan Ramis Pascual, Itaru Kikuchi, and Maksim Goncharov. The Tigers compiled a record of 6-14 in 2025 but the outlook for the 2026 season looks bright with the talent that head coach Jeff Beaman has brought in.

Iturbe is arguably the biggest addition as he joins the team after transferring in from UNC Charlotte. At UNC Charlotte, Iturbe recorded 104 total wins with 12 singles victories coming in 2025 which led the 49ers.

Garay comes to Livingston after playing overseas in Brazil. In Brazil, Garay was ranked on the Junior circuit and is now ready to make his collegiate debut. For Mateu Ramis, he's a product of Spain. The incoming Graduate has played in 202 matches on the international circuit, racking up 110 total wins. The Spaniard has played collegiate tennis before as he competed with Itawamba CC a couple years ago. 

As for Kikuchi, he played for Lewis-Clark State from 2020-2024. During his time at Lewis-Clark State, Kikuchi was named Second-Team All-NAIA in 2024 and returns to collegiate tennis with the Tigers in 2026.

For Goncharov, he's a true freshman who is filled with potential. The Russian was ranked in the Top-five in the Russian Juniors and as high as No. 639 in the World ITF Juniors. Goncharov is primed to make an immediate impact with West Alabama, beginning on Friday.

WEST ALABAMA WOMEN

UWA's Women's team is primed for another excellent season in 2026. The Tigers are ranked No. 5 in the ITA Preseason Top-25 and return their top three players in Alexa Milliam, Shaira Rivera, and Valentina Mutilba. Milliam put together the greatest freshman season in West Alabama history last year, finishing the year with a 19-0 singles record, leading to National Freshman of the Year, First Team All-American, First Team All-Region, and First Team All-GSC recognitions. 

Rivera returns after being named an ITA All-American in 2025. Rivera held down No. 1 singles for the Tigers last season and will most likely return to that spot in 2026.  The Graduate Student was 12-7 in No. 1 Singles last year while dominating doubles with Mutilba. The duo of Mutilba and Rivera was the No. 1 doubles duo in the country for a number of weeks in 2025. In singles play, Mutilba turned in an 11-10 record and looks to build, beginning this weekend against Tuskegee.

While returning Milliam, Rivera, and Mutilba, West Alabama also added transfers Nanoka Kazama and Jenaila Prulla. Kazama is a Division I transfer from Central Arkansas who played in No. 2 and No. 3 singles and No. 1 and No. 2 Doubles. The senior has won 33 total matches in her career and is slated to make an immediate impact.

Prulla is another experienced transfer who played the last two seasons with Louisiana. The incoming junior competed in No. 2 singles and No. 1 slot in doubles with the Raging Cajuns. Before her collegiate career, Prulla was ranked No. 2 in the Philippines.

SPRING HILL/TUSKEGEE
Spring Hill's Men's team went 16-9 and a perfect 10-0 in the SIAC a year ago. The Badgers and Tigers played last season where UWA handled SHC, 7-0.

Tuskegee's Men's squad turned in a 10-8 record and an 8-2 SIAC record in 2025 while the Women's team went 16-7 and 13-1 in the SIAC. 

There is a lot of excitement around West Alabama Tennis and they'll get their first test this weekend at the Vaughan Tennis Complex.