Results
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The No. 22 Texas A&M women's tennis team won in straight sets at the top three spots in singles to defeat the University of South Alabama 4-0 Saturday afternoon at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend, hosted by Miami at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.
The Aggies remain unbeaten at 3-0 while the Jaguars drop their spring opener.
"Hats off to Texas A&M for how they played today," USA head coach
Jaco Keyser said. "I thought they played a very high level match from start to finish. This is one of the few times I feel like we actually got better in a loss. They definitely played the big points better than us but if we can have the fight, composure and willingness to grind mentally like today then we will have a great season."
Texas A&M lost more than three games in just one set at Nos. 1-3. No. 85
Rachel Pierson topped sophomore
Alexandria Stiteler (Bradenton, Fla.) 6-1, 6-1 on court 1, and
Rutuja Bhosale defeated senior
Monica Mitta (Fairhope, Ala.) 6-3, 6-2 at No. 2.
No. 57
Tina Bokhua clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-4 win over senior
Laura Valkova (Piestany, Slovakia) on court 3.
In doubles, the A&M took the point on courts 1 and 3 with a pair of 6-2 wins. Bokhua and
Stefania Hristov won at No. 3 over senior
Laura Matuskova (Bratislava, Slovakia) and Mitta, and the No. 17 pair of Bhosale and Pierson clinched the point when they downed sophomore
Patricia Martins (Lisbon, Portugal) and Valkova.
"The hard part for this team is to understand that even though on paper we had a disappointing day is that in reality our quality of play and mental makeup today sets us up for a great season," Keyser said. "The big challenge is to repeat today's effort and we will most definitely reap the rewards this season."
The Jaguars will take on Brown tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.
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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