03/25/06– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JAGUARS FINISH THIRD AT RED LION INVITATIONAL WITH 5-1 WIN OVER BALL STATE
CONTACT: Kit Strief

BOISE, Idaho . - The University of South Alabama men's tennis rebounded quite nicely after a 4-1 loss to top-seeded Boise State on Friday to take third place in the 2006 Boise State Red Lion Invitational with a 5-1 win over No. 70 Ball State on Saturday. With the win, the No. 34 Jaguars improve to 16-6 on the year. Ball State falls to 13-6 on the year.

The Jaguars won five of the six singles matches to take the 5-1 victory. USA won two of three matches that went three sets, including Dias Doskarayev's come-from-behind win at No. 3 to beat Tony Epkey, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6. The Jaguars also won by going the distance at No. 5 as Robert Hodel held off Jarrod Epkey, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5.

No. 80 ranked Jack Baker got back on the winning track after making quick work of Matt Baccarani at the No. 1 position, 6-2, 6-2. Baker had won 12 straight matches before losing on Friday to his Boise State opponent who was ranked 16th by ITA. Besides Baker, Tucker and R.J. Nagel picked up straight set wins at No. 2 and No. 6, respectively.

The doubles portion was not played due to the fact that the match already had been won.

USA returns to action on April 2 at Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles stand at 4-10 with one match prior to facing the Jaguars.

Tennis Match Results
South Alabama vs. Ball State
Mar 25, 2006 at Boise, Idaho

#34 South Alabama 5, #70 Ball State 1

Doubles
Not Played

Singles
1. Jack Baker (USA) def. Matt Baccarani (BSU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Monte Tucker (USA) def. Joe Epkey (BSU) 6-4, 7-5
3. Dias Doskarayev (USA) def. Tony Epkey (BSU) 1-6, 6-3, 7-6
4. Patrick Thompson (BSU) def. Marek Sramek (USA) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
5. Robert Hodel (USA) def. Jarrod Epkey (BSU) 6-2, 6-7, 7-5
6. R.J. Nagel (USA) def. Joe Vallez (BSU) 6-2, 6-3

Match Notes:
South Alabama 16-6, National Ranking #34
Ball State13-6, National ranking #70