CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (March 13, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's tennis team opens Atlantic Sun Conference play this weekend, taking on Austin Peay and Bellarmine on the road.
The Lions are set to commence conference play against the Governors and Knights, looking to extend a six-match winning streak. UNA opens the weekend against Austin Peay on Friday, March 14 before concluding against Bellarmine on Sunday, March 16.
Both matchups serve as doubleheaders with UNA Men's Tennis, who also face the Governors and Knights in the afternoon.
First serve against Austin Peay is set for 10 a.m. with action against Bellarmine also set for a 9 a.m. start time. Live stats will be available for both duals with links becoming available closer to match time.
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 at Austin Peay
Date: Friday, March 14
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Clarksville, Tenn.
Venue: Governors Tennis Courts
Social Media: @UNATennis
DUAL 2 INFO
Matchup: North Alabama at Bellarmine
Date: Sunday, March 16
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Louisville, Ky.
Venue: Eddie Weber Tennis Complex
Social Media: @UNATennis
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: North Alabama cruised to a 4-0 win on March 12 against the visiting Alabama A&M Bulldogs in Florence. UNA's battle against the Bulldogs saw the Lions thrive in home action, earning their eighth win of the season.
SCOUTING THE LIONS: UNA enters conference play on a six-dual winning streak. The Lions have won by an average of 3.5 points and swept opponents in three of the matchups (Missouri State, SEMO and Alabama A&M). North Alabama is winning both singles and doubles at a high rate, with the Lions victorious in 70.2 percent of singles matches and 75 percent in doubles. Junior Eeva Ristola has a 9-0 record in doubles to lead the team, with sophomore Ada Karabacak the leader in singles with an 8-1 record.
SCOUTING AUSTIN PEAY: The Governors sport a 4-8 record on the season. Austin Peay was victorious in its last outing on March 14, defeating Cumberland, 6-1, at home. Prior to the season, the Governors were picked to finish fifth in the ASUN Women's Tennis Preseason Poll. Austin Peay's head coach is Maria Sorbello Morrison.
SERIES HISTORY: The Governors lead the all-time series over UNA with a 7-1 record. North Alabama's lone win came during the 2006 season, but Austin Peay has won the previous five meetings. The Govs defeated the Lions, 4-3, in the last meeting in 2024.
SCOUTING BELLARMINE: The Knights enter the weekend with a 2-14 season record. Bellarmine faces both Lipscomb and North Alabama this weekend, looking to gain its first ASUN win of the campaign. The Knights also look to break an eight-dual skid, with Bellarmine's last win coming on Feb. 1 against Marian University. The Knights win doubles matches at a 30.4 percent rate and singles matches at a 20.7 percent rate. Bellarmine was picked to finish ninth in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll. Three players lead with six doubles wins (Marika Caruk, Shu Grosso and Reese Parker) while two share the team lead with five singles wins (Parker and Lillie Willis). The Knights are led by Head Coach Brian Slack.
SERIES HISTORY: The Lions hold a 5-2 advantage in the all-time series history against Bellarmine. North Alabama has won the last five meetings, all coming during UNA's Division I era (2021 twice, 2022, 2023 and 2024).
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
