FLORENCE, Ala. (February 4, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's tennis team dropped a close bout Tuesday afternoon against the UAB Blazers, falling 4-3 in the home opener at the UNA Tennis Courts in Florence.

North Alabama faced its fourth in-state foe of the season and played its third match in the last four days. UNA started strong facing the Blazers, sweeping doubles play to take an early lead into singles.

UAB answered back with three singles wins, matching the two singles victories by North Alabama to set up a deciding match from the sixth court. UAB's Nera Tesankic won a three-set thriller against UNA's Senem Ocal, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to win it.

North Alabama concludes its three-dual slate winning two out of the three, moving to a 2-2 overall record. UAB improved to 3-2.

Top-flight doubles tandem Stanislava Bobrovnikova and Eeva Ristola got the dual started with 6-1 win over UAB's Vanessa Mellynchuk and Gresi Bajri. Eight minutes later, the sophomore pair of Emma Ansorge and Mathilde Delaney clinched the doubles point with a 6-4 win over the Blazer's Nera Tesankic and Enya Ratkic from court three.

UAB's Klara Kajabova and Mackenzie White were leading UNA's Ada Karabacak and Anoek Pruijmboom, 4-3, from court two before North Alabama's clinching doubles win.

In singles, the first match was won by UAB, with the Blazer's Mellynchuk securing a 6-3, 6-0 win over Ansorge from flight two. North Alabama received a second team point from the top flight, when an injury retirement from UAB's Bajri gave Bobrovnikova her second win of the day. The Blazers tied the dual at 2-2 with an ensuing 6-4, 6-2 victory from Damaskova over Ristola from flight three.

White nabbed the Blazers' third point in a three-set battle, overcoming UNA's Delaney with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 result from court five. Needing a response, the Lions got one in Karabacak from court four, securing a 6-4, 7(7)-6(5) win over Kajabova.

The final match from court six saw Ocal take on Tesankic. Tesankic won the three-set bout to clinch the match.



UAB 4, North Alabama 3


Doubles

1. Stanislava Bobrovnikova/Eeva Ristola (UNA) def. Vanessa Mellynchuk/Gresi Bajri (UAB), 6-1
2. Klara Kajabova/Mackenzie White (UAB) vs. Anoek Pruijmboom/Ada Karabacak (UNA), 4-3, unfinished
3. Emma Ansorge/Mathilde Delaney (UNA) def. Nera Tesankic/Enya Ratkic (UAB), 6-4


Singles

1. Stanislava Bobrovnikova (UNA) def. Gresi Bajri (UAB), 4-6, 2-2, retired
2. Vanessa Mellynchuk (UAB) def. Emma Ansorge (UNA), 6-3, 6-0
3. Kristyna Damaskova (UAB) def. Eeva Ristola (UNA), 6-4, 6-2
4. Ada Karabacak (UNA) def. Klara Kajabova (UAB), 6-4, 7(7)-6(5)
5. Mackenzie White (UAB) def. Mathilde Delaney (UNA), 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
6. Nera Tesankic (UAB) def. Senem Ocal (UNA), 6-3, 5-7, 6-3


Match Notes

UAB: 3-2
North Alabama: 2-2


COMING UP NEXT 

The Lions return to the courts next Tuesday, Feb. 11 for a doubleheader with UNA Men's Tennis against Jacksonville State. First serve for women's tennis is set for 10 a.m. at the UNA Tennis Courts.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.