LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The No. 17 University of West Alabama men's tennis team and No. 5 UWA women's tennis team continue their packed week at home, welcoming Christian Brothers on Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m., before turning around to host Lee University on Friday, April 3 at 11 a.m.
The UWA men (10-4, 2-1 GSC) enter the week with strong momentum, highlighted by a balanced singles lineup and consistent doubles play. Federico Iturbe leads the Tigers with an impressive 9-1 record in singles, riding a six-match winning streak, while Afonso Portugal (9-3) and Jacob Tapia (9-4) have each added key depth with four-match win streaks of their own.
In doubles, the tandem of Federico Iturbe and Tapia, ranked No. 28 nationally, has been a steady force with a 10-4 record, including an 8-2 mark in their last 10 matches. The pairing of Portugal and Maksim Goncharov has also been dominant, going 8-1 overall and carrying a six-match win streak into the week.
UWA will first face a Christian Brothers squad that sits at 4-8 overall and 0-5 in conference play. The Tigers will look to capitalize on their depth against a Buccaneers roster still searching for its first GSC win.
On Friday, West Alabama shifts focus to a tougher challenge in No. 9 Lee University. The Flames have been solid in singles play, boasting multiple players with double-digit wins, including Rytis Razminas (11-1) and Francisco Guimarães (12-4). Lee also features strong doubles combinations, highlighted by a 12-2 mark from Guimarães and Razminas.
On the women's side, the No. 5 Tigers (12-3, 1-1 GSC) continue to showcase one of the most balanced lineups in the region. Nanoka Kazama has been dominant in singles with an 11-1 record and a 10-match winning streak, while Jenaila Prulla remains undefeated at 11-0. Shaira Rivera, ranked No. 11 nationally, and Alexa Milliam No. 16 continue to anchor the top of the lineup.
In doubles, the nationally ranked No. 8 duo of Milliam and Rivera has gone 8-1 overall, providing a reliable point at the top position. The pairing of Greta Zawels and Kazama has also been effective, compiling an 8-3 record.
Christian Brothers enters Thursday's matchup still seeking its first win of the season at 0-9-1 overall and 0-5 in GSC play, giving the Tigers an opportunity to build momentum early in the homestand.
Friday's matchup against Lee presents a more competitive test. The Lady Flames are 7-4 overall and 2-3 in conference action, led by Rima Yoshida (14-6) and Andrea Pascual (13-8) in singles. The duo of Yoshida and Pascual has also been productive in doubles with an 8-4 record.
With two matches in two days for the men and three matches in three days for the women, the Tigers will rely on their depth and current form as they continue conference play and look to strengthen their positioning in the Gulf South Conference standings.
