TUSKEGEE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's and Women's Tennis programs, led by head coach Uwe Tittl, began the 2023 season on Saturday afternoon, facing off with non-divisional opponent Tuskegee University on the road. Both Mobile teams came away with 7-0 sweeps to begin the year, with the Rams controlling each match from start to finish. Both teams advance the 2023 record to 1-0 following Saturday's success.
To start the year, the NAIA ranked both Mobile teams in the top 25, with the women's team ranking No. 20 in the country, while the men's team ranks No. 25.
Women's Tennis Recap: Mobile 7, Tuskegee 0
The University of Mobile Women's Tennis team started off Saturday's match in dominating fashion over Tuskegee, sweeping all three doubles matches played. Senior Maria Jose Reynaldo Toledo and Mobile newcomer Eva Garcia teamed up for a 6-0 win in the top doubles flight, while Narjis Mzibri and Luana Wild earned a 6-0 win in the second flight. The third-seeded pair of Sofija Hrovat and Berta Castello followed with a 6-0 doubles win of their own. With Mobile now leading the match 1-0 following the three doubles victories that combine for one point in the final score, the Rams needed at least three singles victories for the match win.
In singles action, freshman Berta Castello was awarded the top flight for Mobile, winning her singles match 6-0, 6-3. Narjis Mzibri went three sets from the second flight, eventually winning 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. Later in the fifth-seeded singles match, Luana Wild earned a 6-1, 6-0 win for the match-clincher. Eventually, Mobile won all six singles matches, allowing Tuskegee just one set win total.
Men's Tennis Recap: Mobile 7, Tuskegee 0
On the men's side, it was much of the same for the Rams than it was in the women's match. Joao Pedro Okano and Alex Verdu earned the top seed in doubles action, winning 6-1. In the second flight of doubles play, Sergio Ruiz Ramiro and Santiago Reina joined Okano and Verdu in earning a 6-1 win. From the third-seeded doubles match, Santiago Diloreto and Aoi Kambara swept the opposition with a 6-0 win.
In singles play, Mobile never allowed a set win for Tuskegee as the Rams won all six singles matches with ease. Okano took his match 6-1, 6-1 from the top seed in singles play, while Verdu took the second-seeded singles match 6-2, 6-2. Santiago Diloreto eventually clinched the match for Mobile with a 6-0, 6-2 win in the third flight to give the Rams the win.
Great Start to 2023 Season
Overall, both the men's and women's tennis teams for Mobile started the 2023 season with great success, controlling a NCAA Division II program from start to finish. UM Men's and Women's Tennis is scheduled to return to action for the second match of the 2023 campaign on Friday, Feb. 10 against crosstown rival Spring Hill College.
Next Friday's match will be played at the Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Ala. and is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
