TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women's tennis team continued its hot start to the season by defeating Mercer, 6-1, and shutting out Alabama A&M, 7-0, Saturday at the Roberta Alison Baumgardner Tennis Facility.

"I like what I am seeing," head coach Jenny Mainz said. "I think we are gaining more confidence and momentum as we go. We just needed a lot of matches. We are having to learn how to close out matches and finish, which is important."

Alabama picked up its fourth victory and third shutout of the year after downing Mercer (1-5) and Alabama A&M (0-4).

The Crimson Tide has yet to surrender a doubles point this season, as sophomore Moka Ito and Jacqueline Pelletier topped Mercer, 6-3, and juniors Alba Cortina Pou and Luca Fabian rolled past Alabama A&M, 6-2. Juniors Ann Selim and Kim Gintrand picked up victories in both matches to secure the point.

In morning singles play, Alabama took the early 3-0 lead after winning the doubles point. Fabian downed Anna Sovic, 6-2, 6-1, and Gintrand took down Christie Cesarin, 6-0, 6-2. Ito snatched the Tide's fourth point by defeating Katie Sidor, 6-4, 6-1, to seal the deal. Maeva Roquebert grabbed the Bears lone point of the day against Selim, 4-6, 2-6. Cortina Pou rallied back in convincing fashion, 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-7), while Pelletier came from behind to finish, 6-4, 6-6, 1-0 (6-0).

In afternoon singles play, the Crimson Tide swept all six matches against Alabama A&M. Gintrand, Selim, Ito, and Cortina Pou moved past the Bulldogs with ease. Fabian defeated Rida Khalid, 6-0, 6-2, while Pelletier, stepped up on court number two and wrapped up singles action, 6-0, 6-3.

Up next, Alabama will embark on a three-match road swing in Santa Barbara Calif. The Crimson Tide will face UCSB on Friday, Feb. 1 at 12 p.m. CT, and will follow with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 2 against Gonzaga and Cal Poly.

Alabama Results

Match 1 : Alabama 6, Mercer 1

Doubles

1. Pelletier/Ito (UA) def. Sidor/Schepers (Mercer), 6-3

2. Cortina-Pou/Fabian (UA) vs. Sovic/Cesarini (Mercer), 4-4 unf.

3. Selim/Gintrand (UA) def. Roquebert/Hollyfield (Mercer), 6-2

Order of Finish: 3, 1

Singles

1. Moka Ito (UA) def. Katie Sidor (Mercer), 6-4, 6-1

2. Jacqueline Pelletier (UA) def. Celine Schepers (Mercer), 6-4, 6-6, 1-0 (6-0)

3. Alba Cortina Pou (UA) def. Alara Hollyfield (Mercer), 5-7, 6-4, 1-0 (10-7)

4. Maeva Roquebert (Mercer) def. Ann Selim (UA), 4-6, 2-6

5. Luca Fabian (UA) def. Anna Sovic (Mercer), 6-2, 6-1

6. Kimberley Gintrand (UA) def. Christie Cesarin (Mercer), 6-0, 6-2

Order of Finish: 5, 6, 1, 4, 3, 2

Match 2 : Alabama 7, Alabama A&M 0

Doubles

1. Pelletier/Ito (UA) vs. Khalid/Duarte Ramirez (AAM), 5-1 unf.

2. Cortina-Pou/Fabian (UA) def. Boyd/Bozhko (AAM), 6-2

3. Selim/Gintrand (UA) def. Rengiil/Woods (AAM), 6-2

Order of Finish: 2, 3

Singles

1. Moka Ito (UA) def. Jasmine Boyd (AAM), 6-0, 6-1

2. Jacqueline Pelletier (UA) def. Beatriz Gutierrez (AAM), 6-0, 6-3

3. Alba Cortina Pou (UA) def. Ximena Duarte Ramirez (AAM), 6-1, 6-0

4. Ann Selim (UA) def. Anita Bozhko (AAM), 6-1, 6-1

5. Luca Fabian (UA) def. Rida Khalid (AAM), 6-0, 6-2

6. Kimberley Gintrand (UA) def. India Woods (AAM), 6-1, 6-2

Order of Finish: 3, 1, 6, 4, 2, 5

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