Women's Tennis 4/11/2018 6:15:00 PM

UNA TENNIS SWEEPS ALABAMA A&M

HUNTSVILLE – The University of North Alabama men's and women's tennis teams each picked up a road victory Tuesday at Alabama A&M. The women won 6-1 while the UNA men came away with a 7-0 victory over the Bulldogs.

The win for the UNA women broke a two-match losing streak and gave the Lions an 8-6 record on the season.

"After the tough 5-4 loss on Sunday, the women came out and were very businesslike," said UNA head tennis coach Brice Bishop." There was no hangover, which was good to see."

The Lions swept the doubles play to take an overall 1-0 lead in the match. Claire DeGeorge and Alisa Savina were dominant in a 6-1 win at No. 3, while Nina Linke and Nele Seitz were also never threatened during a 6-3 victory at the No. 2 doubles spot. Claudia Arroyo and Donna Haycock completed the sweep at No. 1 with a 6-3 victory.

With the lead in hand, UNA quickly put the match away in singles play. DeGeorge made it 2-0 by winning 7-5, 6-1 at No. 4 singles. At the top spot, Arroyo got the Lions within a point of clinching with a 6-1, 6-4 victory. Haycock then clinched the match for the Lions, winning 6-2, 7-5 at No. 3 singles.

Linke added to the lead winning 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2, while Savina finished out the scoring with a 6-3, 6-0 triumph at the No. 5 position.

"It was good to get back in the win column," added Bishop.

The UNA men's team was even more dominant. After a slow start, the Lions stormed back to defeat the Division I Bulldogs to improve to 5-8 on the year. Alabama A&M started strong with a 6-4 win at No. 3 doubles. The Lions, however, rallied to win the doubles point.

Jason Pimenta and Luca Cirenza won 6-1 at No. 2 before the team of Miguel Garcia and Austin Racine clinched the point with a comeback victory. Trailing 5-3 an 30-love, the duo was able to break serve and force a tiebreak before getting an 8-6 victory.

With the 1-0 lead, the Lions wasted little time taking control of the match. Cirenza quickly won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 4 singles, while Pimenta added to the lead with a 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 2 position. Garcia then clinched the match by winning 6-2, 6-0 at the top spot.

Racine increased the score to 5-0 with a 6-2, 6-3 victory at No. 3 singles. Gustavo Girao then won 8-4 at No. 5 and Cade Reasons won 8-2 at No. 6 to close out the scoring.

"After a sloppy start, I thought the guys played with purpose," Bishop said. "They needed this to get ready for a very good UAH team."

UNA will play the Chargers Wednesday on a neutral court. Match time is set for 3 p.m. in Decatur.

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Players Mentioned

Claudia Arroyo: 5' 7"; Junior

Claire DeGeorge: 5' 3"; Junior

Donna Haycock: 5' 7"; Senior

Nina Linke: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Nele Seitz: 5' 7"; Junior

Alisa Savina: 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Claudia Arroyo
: 5' 7"; Junior

Claire DeGeorge
: 5' 3"; Junior

Donna Haycock
: 5' 7"; Senior

Nina Linke
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Nele Seitz
: 5' 7"; Junior

Alisa Savina
: 5' 9"; Freshman