ATHENS, Ga. – University of South Alabama senior Tuki Jacobs (Windhoek, Namibia fell to No. 9-16 seed Will Bushamuka of Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Singles Championships hosted by Georgia on Wednesday at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
 
Jacobs, ranked No. 77 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, fell 7-6 (5), 7-6 (7) to No. 17 Bushamuka.
 
"Tuki played a great match," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "Bushamuka is one of the hardest hitters in college. Tuki stayed in the fight and made sure to answer with his big forehand when he had a chance. He was able to compete at a very high level. He pushed his opponent to the limit. I believe that if he could have taken him to three sets, Tuki would have slowly broken him down and won the match. I am so proud of Tuki and so fortunate that he chose South Alabama. He was a great representative of our institution for 4 years."
 
Bushamuka took the match by winning two tiebreakers over Jacobs. Bushamuka won the first two games in the first set, but Jacobs recovered quickly to force the first tiebreaker of the match. The second set went back and forth as well to force the second tiebreaker that once again went in the favor of Bushamuka.
 
"It was a tough day today," said Jacobs. "I had my chances and didn't take them, but I enjoyed myself. It was a good match with lots of positives to take. I'm proud to just to be out here representing South Alabama. I've been at the school for four years in a good program with a good coach. So it's been a good four years and I've learned a lot of positive lessons that I can take with me and cherish for the rest of my life."
 
Join the Baseline Club, the tennis-specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Baseline Club go directly to support the South Alabama men's and women's tennis programs. For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/baselineclub.
 
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