The Northwest Missouri State men’s tennis team rallied from an early deficit to earn a 6-3 win over Alabama-Huntsville in their season opener Friday afternoon.

The Bearcats fell behind early as the Chargers took No. 1 and No. 2 doubles by identical 8-4 scores. Alvaro Riveros and Dylan Bernatzky picked up the lone doubles win in the No. 3 position to start the Bearcat comeback with an 8-4 win.

Once singles action started the Bearcats rolled to five straight wins only dropping No. 1 singles. Sergio De Vilchez fell in a close match, 6-0, 6-4 in the only singles loss.

Rafael Bugiga jump started Northwest in No. 2 singles with an exciting 7-6, 7-5 win over Nestor Perez.

Northwest grabbed wins at No. 3 singles as Lluis Altimires won 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 over Chris Kana and teammate Guilherme Narducci cruised in No. 4 singles. Narducci was a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Fredrik Graaner.

Jason Harris won at No. 6 singles, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 as Alvaro Riveros won his No. 5 singles match, 6-4, 6-1.

The Bearcats return to action next weekend when they travel to Springfield for three matches in three days. Northwest kicks off action Feb. 21 against Harding before matches against Ouachita Baptist and Drury.

— NWMSU Sports Information —