MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of Montevallo women's tennis team dropped its first match of the season following a 8-1 setback against nationally-ranked West Florida in its first home match of the spring season Feb. 16.

The Argonauts are ranked No. 5 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association NCAA Division II rankings.

"I'm very proud of the fight the women showed today," said Montevallo women's tennis coach Adam Albertsen. "This group has come together as a team and I really like the direction we are heading."

Sophomore Amanda Gautreaux and freshman Dorotea Hanzek earned the lone win for the Falcons (5-1 overall, 1-1 in Gulf South Conference) after defeating Lais Bicca and Isabella Calves of West Florida 8-4 in the No. 3 doubles' match.

Junior Alina Munteanu fell to the Argonauts' Payla Coyos, who was ranked No. 11 nationally in the latest ITA NCAA Division II singles' rankings, 6-2, 6-0 in the No. 1 singles' match. Junior Emily Beatty fell to Ines Nicault of West Florida 6-1, 6-4 in the No. 2 singles' match.

Freshman Bhargavi Kalaga fell to the Argonauts' Jordana Lujan 6-2, 6-1 in the No. 3 singles' match. Freshman Maria Garcia fell to Diana Vlad of West Florida, who entered the match ranked No. 36 in the latest ITA NCAA Division II singles' rankings, 6-1, 3-6, 5-7 in the No. 4 singles' match.

Hanzek fell to Heather Mixon of West Florida 6-4, 6-4 in the No. 5 singles' match. Gautreaux fell to the Argonauts' Samantha Echevarria 6-2, 6-3 in the No. 6 singles' match.

Beatty and Kalaga fell to Coyos and Lusan, the No. 12 ranked doubles' team in the ITA NCAA Division II rankings, 8-1 in the No. 1 doubles' match. Munteanu and Garcia fell to Valeria Mantilla and Vlad of West Florida 8-3 in the No. 2 doubles' match.

The Falcons will return to action Tuesday, Feb. 20 with a match on the road at Clark Atlanta University.