COLUMBUS, Ga. – The No. 6-ranked University of West Florida women's tennis team opened up the season with a 5-4 victory on the road against the No. 8-ranked Columbus State Cougars on Saturday afternoon. West Florida (1-0, 0-0 GSC) came out of doubles with only one win but strong singles performances propelled UWF to the season-opening victory.
 
Senior Nina Bubelova (Povazska Bystrica, Slovakia) and junior Paula Lopez (Tucumán, Argentina) defeated Saravinder Pannu and Olivera Tadijin at number two doubles by a score of 8-3.
 
Junior Hannah Toro (London, England) and senior Katarina Dikosavljevic (Queensland, Australia) fell to No. 11 Camila Tobar and Kirsa Utech 7-9 at number one doubles while seniors Giovana Patitucci (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Sarai Flores (Mexico City, Mexico) lost to Beatriz Leon and Rachael Williams 5-8 at number three doubles.
 
Lopez got a victory in her first singles match of the season with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Pannu at number three singles. No. 42 Bubelova defeated Tadijin at number four singles 6-1, 7-6 (5) en route to the senior's 45^th career singles victory.
 
Flores earned a win over a nationally-ranked opponent with a 6-0, 6-4 win over No. 50 Utech at number five singles. Freshman Heather Mixon (New Iberia, La./Catholic HS) earned a win in her first singles match for UWF by defeating Williams at number six singles by a score of 6-0, 6-3.
 
Toro fell to No. 14 Leon at number one singles by a score of 0-6, 6-3, 0-6 while No. 32 Dikosavljevic lost to Tobar at number two singles 5-7, 2-6.
 
West Florida will next open up Gulf South Conference play with a trio of matches on the road in Alabama next weekend. UWF will play West Alabama on Friday, February 12 at 1 p.m. CT before facing North Alabama on Saturday, February 13 at 11 a.m. CT. The Argonauts will wrap up the weekend with a match against Alabama Huntsville on Sunday, February 14 at 1 p.m. CT.
 
For information on all UWF athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.