MOBILE, Ala. – Days before departing for the University of South Alabama's season-opening trip to take part in the ITA Kick-Off Weekend, head women's tennis coach Jaco Keyser sat down for this week's installment of "Inside JagNation," the official podcast of Jaguar Athletics.
The Jags — coming off a 21-6 record in 2016 after advancing to the championship match of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament — will take on No. 22 Texas A&M Saturday at noon in the opening round of the event, and will face with 12th-ranked Miami (Fla.) or Brown on Sunday.
Keyser first came to South in 1994 as a member of the men's tennis program, and in three seasons posted records of 46-14 in singles and 56-10 in doubles while helping the Jaguars win the SBC championship and advance to an NCAA Regional each year. On two occasions, the Pretoria, South Africa, native was an all-league selection in doubles.
He began coaching as a graduate assistant for the men's team in 1999, and in 2002 was named the school's head women's tennis coach. Entering his 15th season guiding the program, Keyser has an all-time mark of 210-107 — he is the all-time leader in victories in the team's record books — including a 58-12 record over the least three years. In 2015, he was named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year after leading the Jags to the conference championship and an NCAA Regional appearance.
Keyser has earned three degrees from South: in finance in 1998, a master's of business administration in 2002 and a doctorate in business administration in '16.
Click
here for Episode 25 of "Inside JagNation"
Topics Keyser discusses in the podcast this week include how the team has prepared for the spring campaign, his expectations for both the weekend and the season, and what he believes is the key to the Jaguars having a successful year. In addition to talking about recruiting and what he looks for in potential student-athletes, he also addresses his long-term goals for the program. Other topics in the discussion include his experience playing tennis while growing up, his decision to come to the United States to play at the collegiate level and why he became a coach.
Click
here for "Inside JagNation" archives
Episodes of "Inside JagNation" are available for free on iTunes by using a search for "South Alabama Jaguars."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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