LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's and women's tennis teams will travel to Clinton, Mississippi, on Monday, March 9, for a neutral-site matchup against Lynn University. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Both Tiger squads enter the contest looking to build momentum as they continue their early-season schedules against a strong non-conference opponent.
UWA Men's Tennis
West Alabama's men's team enters the match with a 4-3 overall record and a 0-1 mark in Gulf South Conference play. The Tigers have produced a balanced effort in singles competition, posting a 22-15 overall singles record this season.
Leading the way for UWA is Afonso Portugal, who owns a team-best 5-2 singles record and is currently riding a two-match winning streak while playing primarily in the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. Jacob Tapia has also contributed consistently near the top of the lineup with a 4-3 mark, including a 2-1 record at the No. 1 singles spot.
Depth has been another strength for the Tigers early in the season. Itaru Kikuchi has been perfect in singles play with a 3-0 record at the No. 6 position, while Federico Iturbe holds a 3-2 record with multiple wins at the No. 4 spot.
In doubles competition, the pairing of Federico Iturbe and Jacob Tapia has led the way with a 4-3 record, including three wins at the No. 1 position. The duo has won two straight matches entering Monday's contest. Portugal has also been part of successful pairings in doubles, combining with Maksim Goncharov for a 3-1 mark and with Kikuchi for a victory at the No. 2 line.
UWA Women's Tennis
The West Alabama women's team, ranked No. 1 nationally, enters the matchup with a 7-3 overall record and a 0-1 record in conference play. The Tigers have been strong across the lineup with a 33-20 overall singles record this season.
Jenaila Prulla has been one of the most consistent performers for UWA, holding a perfect 7-0 singles record while primarily competing at the No. 5 position. Nanoka Kazama has also been impressive with a 6-1 record and currently rides a five-match winning streak.
At the top of the lineup, Shaira Rivera leads the Tigers with a 6-4 mark at No. 1 singles, while Valentina Mutilba has contributed a 5-3 record with victories across multiple positions.
West Alabama has been particularly strong in doubles play, compiling a 17-11 overall record. The duo of Alexa Milliam and Shaira Rivera has been dominant at the top of the lineup with a perfect 4-0 record at No. 1 doubles. Meanwhile, the tandem of Greta Zawels and Nanoka Kazama has produced a 6-2 record and enters the match riding a five-match winning streak.
Scouting Lynn
Lynn's men's team enters the contest with a 6-4 overall record and a 1-2 mark in Sunshine State Conference play. The Fighting Knights hold a 41-47 record in singles competition this season, led by Alessio Demichelis, who carries a 7-4 singles mark and a three-match winning streak. In doubles, the pairing of Demichelis and Davide Cortimiglia has been one of the team's strongest combinations with a 5-1 record.
On the women's side, Lynn brings a 6-3 record and a 1-2 conference mark into Monday's matchup. The Fighting Knights have been dominant in singles play with a 25-5 record overall. Salma Djoubri leads the team with a perfect 7-0 record at No. 1 singles, while Kristen Younes owns a 5-1 mark.
Lynn has also been highly effective in doubles competition, posting a 16-1 overall record. The duo of Carla Galmiche and Kristen Younes is unbeaten at 7-0, while Lea Cakarevic and Salma Djoubri have combined for a 6-0 record.
Monday's neutral-site matchup will present a strong challenge for both Tiger squads as they face one of the top programs from the Sunshine State Conference
