MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo women's tennis team defeated nationally-ranked USC Aiken 5-4 in a Peach Belt Conference match April 16.

The Falcons (13-9 overall, 2-9 in Peach Belt Conference) won three singles' matches and two doubles' matches against the Pacers, who are ranked No. 50 nationally in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division II national poll and No. 10 in the Southeast Region rankings.

Montevallo took a 2-1 lead following doubles' action, with senior Allison Howell and freshman Emily Beatty defeating the Pacers' Marie Aimée Habiyaremye and Marta Quereda 8-0 in the No. 2 doubles' match. Howell added to her school record with her 54th career doubles' victory and her single-season record with her 17th win in doubles' action this season.

Freshmen Alina Munteanu and Rayne Sinclair topped Victoria Giannaccini and Kayla Calvert of USC Aiken 8-5 in the No. 3 doubles' match.

Munteanu raced to a 6-1, 6-0 victory over the Pacers' Nadine Tusiama in the No. 1 singles' match. Tusiama entered the match ranked No. 29 nationally in the ITA NCAA Division II singles' rankings.

Freshman Lauren Pero topped Quereda 6-3, 6-3 in the No. 6 singles' match.

With the match tied at 4-4, attention turned to the No. 2 singles' match for the third set between Beatty and Olivera Veskovac of USC Aiken to decide the match. Beatty took the third set 6-3 to clinch the match for the Falcons and move into a tie with Niki Polcerova for second place in the Falcons' record book for the most singles' victories in a season with 16.

The Falcons push their school record for wins to 13 and will conclude their season Sunday, April 17 with a Peach Belt Conference match against Lander University. Montevallo will celebrate the playing career for senior Allison Howell on Senior Day. First serve is set for 11 a.m.