FLORENCE, Ala. (March 27, 2024) – The University of North Alabama men's tennis team is set for a two-dual Atlantic Sun Conference home slate this week, starting Thursday, March 28 versus EKU and Saturday, March 30 against Queens.
The Lions return to the UNA Tennis Complex after spending the previous five duals on the road. UNA took home three wins from the road swing, including wins at Alabama A&M, FGCU and Kennesaw State. North Alabama faced the Owls last week and used a winning point from freshman Izan Orgiles to clinch UNA's second ASUN win.
North Alabama's victory over Kennesaw State was the first win over the Owls in program history. The victory also marked the 11th of the season, surpassing the Division I program record set in 2023. UNA has six matches to go before the ASUN Men's Tennis Championships set for April 19-21 in Fort Myers, Fla.
Live stats and streaming will be provided for both duals, with full results and a recap posted on RoarLions.com following the action. Fans can also follow along on the UNA Tennis social media pages.
MATCH 1
North Alabama vs. EKU
Thursday, March 28, 2024
11 a.m.
Live Stats | Watch | Twitter
MATCH 2
North Alabama vs. Queens
Saturday, March 30, 2024
11 a.m.
Live Stats | Watch | Twitter
SCOUTING THE LIONS: UNA has a 48-47 record in singles, while improving that in doubles with a 62.5 percent win rate and 25-15 record. Junior Nazar Fedoryshyn and sophomore Federico Scotuzzi lead the team with eight wins as a pair, with Fedoryshyn also leading with 11 total doubles wins. Each Lion has at least two wins in singles with freshman Birtan Duran the leader with 12 wins. Duran has not lost from the fifth flight with a 5-0 record, and he has at least one win from the second through sixth flights. Orgiles is second with 10 singles wins and is undefeated from flight four with a 5-0 record.
SCOUTING EKU: EKU enters with an 18-4 record while 3-0 in ASUN play — second in the conference standings. The Colonels are on a four-dual winning streak and have won 16 of the last 17. They won 12-straight duals from Jan. 31 to March 2 —tying the longest streak in program history. EKU is 33-15 in doubles and 80-49 in singles, with Moritz Mayer leading the Colonels with 26 wins across singles and doubles. Kristoffer Stahlbrand ties Mayer for the team-lead in doubles wins with 11. EKU's head coach is Adam Cohen.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama and EKU meet for the second all-time meeting and the first since 1999. UNA defeated the Colonels, 6-3, in the initial matchup.
SCOUTING QUEENS: Queens enters the dual in search of its first win against the Lions. The Royals are 9-6 overall and 2-1 in ASUN play, suffering their first conference loss to EKU last time out. Queens won six matches in a row prior to its loss to the Colonels. This will be the first of two duals for the Royals, first facing Lipscomb on March 28. Queens has a 19-22 record in doubles for a 46.3 percent win percentage, but the Royals improve to 53-37 in singles for a 58.9 percent win rate. Win Steveker leads the team with nine doubles wins, and Filippo Verdese and Ram Mude are tied for the team lead with 10 singles wins. The head coach for the Royals is Michael Cabana.
SERIES HISTORY: The Lions look to move to 3-0 all-time against the Royals after defeating Queens twice in 2023.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
