SENATOBIA – Playing their first competitive tennis matches in over a decade, the Northwest men's and women's tennis teams both fell to Itawamba 9-0 on Thursday afternoon at The ROC.

Itawamba is the reigning state champion on the men's side and currently ranked 20th in the NJCAA, while the women's team is ranked 22nd in the nation.

On the men's side to open doubles play, Northwest lost all three matches but were most competitive at No. 3 doubles where Weldon Meng/Chase Ferrell lost 8-3. Both matches at No.'s 1 and 2 went Itawamba's way, 8-0.

In singles action, Itawamba was able to come through clean in No.'s 3-6 by 6-0, 6-0 scores.

Ferrell, at No. 1, lost to Lucas Souza by 6-0, 6-1 scores while Meng, at No. 2, lost 6-3, 6-0 to James Jackson.

On the women's side, Itawamba swept all three doubles matches by 8-0 scores for an early 3-0 lead. 

Despite losing all six singles matches in straight-sets, Northwest was able to score points at No.'s 2, 5 and 6. Hannah Switzer fell 6-1, 6-0 to Katherine Downing, Randi Robison fell 6-0, 6-2 to Theresa Jackson and Kathyrun Hutto fell 6-1, 6-0 to Amber Frederick.

Northwest will return to action on Thursday, April 4 at Itawamba after Friday's matches were rained out.