RED OAK, Iowa – The University of Alabama in Huntsville men's tennis team continued its tough start to the season on Friday as it battled toe-to-toe with No. 25 Northwest Missouri State before falling 6-3. The Chargers slip to 0-3, while NWMSU improves to 1-0 to start the year.
 
The match started out strong for the Chargers as the No. 1 pairing of Jose Soto and Nestor Perez knocked off the 18th-ranked doubles team in the country 8-4, and UAH also picked up a point at the No. 2 in doubles as Raphael Oliveira and Christopher Kano won by an identical 8-4 score to give UAH a 2-1 lead headed into singles play.
 
After Soto dominated No. 38 Sergio De Vilchez 6-0, 6-4 to produce a 3-1 lead for the Chargers, Northwest Missouri State would win the remaining five points to produce the 6-3 final. Guillermo Reyes grabbed a lead in his match but ultimately fell 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, and Kano also went the distance before falling 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
 
“We came into this match and really brought the fight to them,” said Head Coach Daniel Finn following the contest. “I am really proud of our guys. We had the points out there to win this match tonight, but we just didn't execute in the right moments. We will keep getting better, however, and this will come together.
 
The Chargers will face a second straight nationally-ranked opponent on Saturday when they take on No. 49 Nebraska Kearney.
 
Singles
1. Jose Soto (UAH) def. Sergio De Vilchez (NWMSU) 6-0, 6-4
2. Rafael Bugiga (NWMSU) def. Nestor Perez (UAH) 7-6, 7-5
3. Lluis Altimires (NWMSU) def. Christopher Kano (UAH) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4
4. Guilherme Narducci (NWMSU) def. Fredrik Graaner (UAH) 6-2, 6-2
5. Alvaro Riveros (NWMSU) def. Raphael Oliveira (UAH) 6-4, 6-1
6. Jason Harris (NWSMU) def. Guillermo Reyes (UAH) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. Soto/Perez (UAH) def. De Vilchez/Altimires (NWMSU) 8-4
2. Oliveira/Kano (UAH) def. Bugiga/Narducci (NWMSU) 8-4
3. Riveros/Bernatzky (NWMSU) def. Graaner/Reyes (UAH) 8-4