FLORENCE, Ala. (February 21, 2025) – The University of North Alabama men's tennis team readies for its first two home duals for the weekend, hosting the Jackson State Tigers and Samford Bulldogs in Florence.
After opening the season with four-straight away duals, North Alabama is set for home action with two matches against the Tigers and Bulldogs. Back on the courts for the first time in almost two weeks, UNA looks to kick off its home schedule on a high note while going for the third and fourth wins of the season.
First serve against Jackson State is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Cox Creek Tennis Courts. Action returns to the UNA Tennis Courts on Sunday, Feb. 23, with UNA facing the Bulldogs at 1 p.m.
The dual against Jackson State serves as a doubleheader with UNA Women's Tennis, who also face the Tigers at 2 p.m.
Full results and a recap will be posted on RoarLions.com following the action, but fans can also follow along on the UNA Tennis social media pages.
DUAL 1 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. Jackson State
Date: Saturday, February 22
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: Cox Creek Tennis Courts
Social Media: @UNATennis
DUAL 2 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama vs. Samford
Date: Sunday, February 23
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Florence, Ala.
Venue: UNA Tennis Courts
Social Media: @UNATennis
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: Facing in-state rival UAB, North Alabama looked to claim its third win of the season and first over the Blazers since 1985. UAB took the early advantage with the doubles point, but North Alabama fought back in singles play with three individual wins. The final match was decided in a three-set battle between UNA's Birtan Duran and UAB's Conor Flynn, with Flynn and UAB able to secure the 4-3 victory.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: Competing in singles play has been a strength of the Lions early in the season. North Alabama is winning 54.5 percent of single matches played, with four players winners of two or more matches. Freshman Satoru Nakajima is undefeated with a 3-0 record, while sophomore Alberto Altur also remains unbeaten with a 2-0 record. Senior Nazar Fedoryshyn and junior Lachlan Brain each have two wins on the year, also both sporting a 2-2 singles record.
SCOUTING JACKSON STATE: The Tigers match up against the Lions in their second dual of the week. Jackson State enters the weekend still looking for its first win, sporting an 0-4 record. The Tigers currently have the Southwestern Athletic Conference Men's Player of the Week in sophomore Ching Chang Chiu and Newcomer of the Week in freshman Maas Schotanus. Jackson State is coached by Hernan Geria.
SERIES HISTORY: North Alabama and Jackson State meet for only the third time in the all-time series, with the Lions leading 2-0. The Lions and Tigers have met the past two seasons, and UNA has won both by respective score lines of 4-2 and 4-1.
SCOUTING SAMFORD: The Bulldogs prep for the instate battle against North Alabama, traveling to Florence sporting an 8-2 record on the year. Samford is in the midst of an eight-dual win streak, rebounding after dropping its first two season duals against Mississippi State and Troy. The Bulldogs have the current Southern Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Week in junior Sandeep Mohandoss. The head coach for Samford is Oliver Reynolds.
SERIES HISTORY: The dual will mark the 52nd all-time meeting between North Alabama and Samford. The Bulldogs lead the series, 47-4, with the Lions going for their first win over the Bulldogs since 1983. Samford narrowly defeated North Alabama, 4-3, in last season's meeting.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
