BOX SCORE
FLORENCE, Ala. | The University of Alabama in Huntsville women's tennis team won for the third straight match, moved its record to .500, and defeated in-state foe North Alabama in a thrilling 5-4 contest on Tuesday. The Chargers improve to 5-5 overall and go to a strong 4-1 in Gulf South Conference play, while UNA falls to 4-3 (3-2 GSC).
 
With the match even at 4-4, Naomi Esteve battled back from a 6-4 opening set setback at the fifth position, winning 7-5 in the second before dispatching of the opposition 6-1 in the third and decisive set, giving her team the match-clinching fifth point that it needed.
 
Esteve's match was a microcosm of the overall contest as the Chargers left doubles play trailing 2-1 to the Lions with the No. 1 pairing of Sarah Stearman and Madison Gulick earning the lone point for the visitors.
 
When action shifted to singles play, North Alabama established a 3-1 lead by winning the match at the No. 3, but Marta Briega pulled the Chargers back within one at 3-2 with a 6-4,l 6-1 victory at the sixth spot, allowing UAH to tie the contest when Cristina Cabanas was victorious 6-3, 6-1 at the second.
 
UAH then went ahead in the match as Marleen Gort picked up a 6-0, 1-6, 6-3 win at the top position, but the Lions won at the No. 4 as Aniek Remmerswaal fell in three sets, responding from a 6-0 loss in the first to win the second 6-4 before pushing the third set to the bring prior to being tripped up 7-6 to set-up the dramatics from Esteve.
 
The Chargers will return to action this weekend, hosting Maryville at the Athletic Club Alabama on Saturday at noon.