MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The nationally-ranked University of Montevallo women's tennis team defeated in-state rival University of West Alabama 8-1 in a Gulf South Conference match March 22 featuring two of the top 35 teams in the nation.

The Falcons, who are ranked No. 30 nationally in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division II rankings, improved to 15-1 overall and 5-1 in Gulf South Conference play after sweeping the Tigers in singles' play and taking two doubles' matches. West Alabama entered the match ranked No. 34 nationally.

"I'm excited about getting the victory in a matchup of two of the top teams in our conference and in the nation," said Montevallo women's tennis coach Adam Albertsen. "We competed well in our first match as a nationally-ranked team."

Junior Alina Munteanu, who is ranked No. 58 nationally in the latest ITA NCAA Division II singles' rankings, defeated Katia De La Garza of West Alabama 7-5, 6-3 in the No. 1 singles' match. Junior Emily Beatty topped the Tigers' Evelyn Moreno 6-0, 6-2 in the No. 2 singles' match.

Freshman Bhargavi Kalaga took down Georgina Salom of West Alabama 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 in the No. 3 singles' match. Freshman Maria Garcia topped the Tigers' Andrea Tomassone 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) in the No. 4 singles' match.

Freshman Dorotea Hanzek defeated Liliana Araucz of West Alabama 4-6, 6-4, 11-9 in the No. 5 singles' match. Sophomore Amanda Gautreaux knocked off the Tigers' I. Martinez Mora 6-1, 6-3 in the No. 6 singles' match.

Munteanu and Garcia topped Moreno and Tommasone 8-3 in the No. 2 doubles' match, while Hanzek and Gautreaux took down Araucz and Martinez Mora 8-6 in the No. 3 doubles' match.

The Falcons will return to action Sunday, March 25 with a Gulf South Conference match on the road at Delta State University.