FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo women’s tennis team split a pair of matches this weekend on the road.

The Falcons (3-1) first traveled to the University of Alabama in Huntsville and fell 5-4 in a match Feb. 18. Montevallo then headed to Stillman College on Feb. 19 and won 6-3.

Montevallo was led by freshma Niki Polcerova, who moved her singles’ record to 4-0 on the season and also added to her undefeated doubles’ record, which now stands at 4-0.

Montevallo fell behind early in the match against UAH as both the Falcons dropped both the No. 2 doubles’ match and No. 3 doubles’ match 8-2.

Polcerova and senior Helene Nordgreen took home the No. 1 doubles’ match 8-3 to cut the match to 2-1. Polcerova and Nordgreen also went on to win their No. 1 singles’ match and No. 2 singles’ match, respectively, to take a 3-2 lead in the match. Polcerova won 6-3, 6-3 and Nordgreen won 6-1, 6-2.

UAH then took the No. 3 singles’ match, No. 4 singles’ match and No. 5 singles’ match to seal the victory. Junior Amy McGucken won the No. 6 singles’ match 6-1, 6-4, but it was not enough as the Falcons fell 5-4.

Against Stillman College, the Falcons were the ones who jumped out to the early lead as they won the No. 1 doubles’ match and No. 3 doubles’ match. Polcerova and Nordgreen took the No. 1 doubles’ match 8-3, while junior Lauren Blair and freshman Kiana Banks won the No. 3 doubles’ match 8-3. The Tigers captured the No. 2 doubles’ match 8-5 to head into singles competition down 2-1.

Polcerova got the Falcons out to a hot start with a 6-1, 6-2 win in the No. 1 singles’ match. Freshman Meagan Stevens, a Hope Christian School graduate, captured the No. 5 singles’ match 6-0, 6-1 and sophomore Yulia Shvetsova took the No. 6 singles’ match 6-1, 6-4 to give the Falcons the five matches they needed to win the overall match. Blair added to the excitement with a thrilling 0-6, 6-4, 11-9 come-from-behind victory in the No. 3 singles’ match.

The Falcons will host the University of West Alabama on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m.