NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In its 2026 home opener Sunday morning at the Ensworth Tennis Center in the Music City, the Belmont University women's tennis team was defeated 6-1 by visiting University of Alabama at Birmingham. The Bruins (0-2) earned a singles win on court four thanks to graduate
Cielo Tapia-Cruz and took No. 2 doubles but were unable to secure wins anywhere else in the lineup.
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Like Tapia-Cruz, sophomore
Jessica Popiol also took her opponent to a third-set super tiebreaker at No. 3 singles but was edged 10-8 in the deciding tiebreak.
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The tandem of freshman
Mia Jones and Tapia-Cruz at second doubles was victorious, 6-3, against UAB's Gresi Bajri and Nera Tesankic. However, the Blazers (1-2) won the doubles point with 6-3 and 6-4 triumphs, respectively, at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles.
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At the fourth singles spot, Tapia-Cruz overcame a 6-1 second set loss to UAB's Bajri and prevailed 11-9 in the third-set super tiebreaker after winning the opening set, 7-5.
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On court three, the Blazers' Tesankic got past Popiol after Popiol won the first set, 6-4. Tesankic took the second set, 6-2, before escaping in the third-set breaker.
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Freshman
Ketevan Jeladze won eight games against UAB's Julia Caffarena in a 6-4, 6-4 loss at No. 5 singles.
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The Blazers also won in straight sets at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 6 singles.
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Up Next                                                     Â
Belmont is back in action at the Ensworth Tennis Center Friday when the Bruins host Samford. First serve from Nashville is set for 5:30 p.m. Next Sunday, Belmont takes on Austin Peay in a neutral-site match in Evansville, Indiana.
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