HOOVER, Ala. (February 9, 2025) – The University of North Alabama men's tennis team suffered a 4-3 setback on the road Sunday afternoon, falling to the UAB Blazers in Hoover, Ala.

Facing an in-state rival, North Alabama looked to claim its second 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 able to secure the victory.

The Lions opened with the dual with the first win in doubles, claiming a 6-4 win by sophomores Izan Orgiles and Alberto Altur over Flynn and Hoan Mouret. UAB responded in the following doubles match with Georgios Nouchakis and Juan Pablo Valdez defeating Lachlan Brain and Satoru Nakajima, 6-4.

The third doubles match ensued a battle between UNA's Nazar Fedoryshyn and Duran and UAB's Noah Malige and Ondrej Valek, with the two teams needing a tiebreaker to decide the doubles point. The Blazers duo pulled out a narrow 7-6 (7-5) win over the Lions pair.

Singles play fared better at the start for UNA, securing two victories from Nakajima and Altur. Nakajima took the first win on court six with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Jake Anthony. Altur nabbed the second singles win with a solid 6-2, 6-4 victory over Mouret fron court five.

UAB answered back with its first two wins in singles, claiming court one and three victories against Brain and Fedoryshyn. However, Orgiles nabbed a court two win in three sets. Facing  Valdez, he overcame a competitive loss in the opening set to take a 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 result to set up the decider from court four.

North Alabama's Duran had a test to start his singles match, taking the first set, 7-5, for the early lead. UAB's Flynn responded in the following set, overcoming a deficit to claim the frame, 7-6. The deciding match needed the third set, as Flynn won 6-2 to win it for UAB.

UAB won its fourth dual of the year, moving to an even 4-4 record overall. The Lions also evened its record at 2-2.



UAB 4, North Alabama 3


Doubles

1. Noah Malige/Ondrej Valek (UAB) def. Birtan Duran/Nazar Fedoryshyn (UNA), 7(7)-6(5) 
2. Izan Orgiles/Alberto Altur (UNA) def. Conor Flynn/Hoan Mouret (UAB), 6-4
3. Georgios Nouchakis/Juan Pablo Valdez (UAB) def. Lachlan Brain/Satoru Nakajima (UNA), 6-4

Order of Finish: 2,3,1


Singles

1. Noah Malige (UAB) def. Lachlan Brain (UNA), 6-4, 7-6
2. Izan Orgiles (UNA) def. Juan Pablo Valdez (UAB), 6-7, 6-1, 6-4
3. Ondrej Valek (UAB) def. Nazar Fedoryshyn (UNA), 6-4, 6-3
4. Conor Flynn (UAB) def. Birtan Duran (UNA), 5-7, 7-6, 6-2
5. Alberto Altur (UNA) def. Hoan Mouret (UAB), 6-2, 6-4
6. Satoru Nakajima (UNA) def. Jake Anthony (UAB), 6-2, 6-0

Order of Finish: 6,5,3,1,2,4


Match Notes

UAB: 4-4
North Alabama: 2-2


COMING UP NEXT 

The Lions return to the courts on Tuesday, Feb. 18 for a doubleheader with UNA Women's Tennis versus Jacksonville State. First serve from the UNA Tennis Courts is set for 1 p.m.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.