MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Celebrating its return to the University of Montevallo campus for the first time in 38 years, the Montevallo men's tennis team pushed top-ranked University of West Florida to its limit in several singles' and doubles' matches before falling 8-1 in its home opener in conference play.

"I was proud of the fight we showed today," said Montevallo men's tennis coach Adam Albertsen. "It was an exciting first home match before a great crowd this afternoon."

Freshmen Georg Trompler and Brecht Van Buggenhout picked up the Falcons' lone win in the match with a 8-5 victory over Lucas Sanchez and Robin Rafaitin of West Florida in the No. 3 doubles' match.

Trompler fell to the Argonauts' Serdar Bojadjiev, the No. 7 ranked singles' player nationally in the latest ITA NCAA Division II poll, 7-5, 7-5 in the No. 1 singles' match. Freshman Petter Dahlin fell to Nicolas Lecoutre, the No. 40 singles' player nationally, 6-4, 6-3 in the No. 2 singles' match.

Sophomore Jan Fraederich fell to the Alfonso Castellano of West Florida, the No. 23 singles' player nationally, 6-4, 6-2 in the No. 3 singles' match. Freshman Daniel Del Val fell to the Argonauts' Robin Rafaitin 6-4, 6-2 in the No. 4 singles' match.

Freshman Sergi Martinez fell to Juan Motta of West Florida 7-5, 6-1 in the No. 5 singles' match. Freshman James Bloomer fell to the Argonauts' Nicholas Springer 6-0, 6-4 in the No. 6 singles' match.

Del Val and Martinez fell to Bojadjiev and Lecoutre 8-2 in the No. 1 doubles' match. Bloomer and Dahlin fell to Gerardo Rodriguez and Castellano of West Florida 8-3 in the No. 2 doubles' match.

The Falcons (5-1 overall, 1-1 in Gulf South Conference) will return to action Saturday, Feb. 24 with a match on the road at Birmingham-Southern College.