The Mississippi University for Women tennis teams faced a challenging weekend in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference South Division. Both the men’s and women’s teams lost to Greenville University on Friday but rebounded to beat Webster University on Saturday morning.
The MUW women’s team fell 7-0 to Greenville, with the Panthers winning all six singles matches in straight sets. In doubles play, the Owls’ No. 3 duo of Emma Horton and Brooklyn Ward lost a close 7-5 decision. The team improved significantly the next day, defeating Webster 6-1 in women’s play. The Owls won all three doubles matches, including a 6-0 win by Kayleigh Griffin and Austin Hays at No. 2 doubles. In singles, Griffin, Bailey Flynn, and Alaina Mathis won in straight sets, helping MUW secure the victory.
On the men’s side, MUW lost 5-2 to Greenville. The team lost all three doubles matches but managed to secure wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles. Marcos Fernandez won comfortably at No. 5, while Alvaro Bardales came back from a first-set loss to win in three sets, including a pro-set tiebreak. The next day, the MUW men swept Webster University 7-0. They took all three doubles matches to start, with Jorge Ortiz Catala and Sandro Giangregorio winning a tight 7-6 (7-5) match at No. 1 doubles. In singles, the Owls won six of six matches, with Ian Costabel and Fernandez winning in straight sets, and Cooper rallying from a set down to claim victory in three sets.
