MONROE, La. ? The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team is one match away from defending their 18th Sun Belt Conference Championship after knocking off the third-seeded Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 4-1, Saturday. The 60th ranked Jaguars will be pitted against number-one seed and 45th ranked Denver at the ULM Tennis Center.

“We have played them (MTSU) twice this year and we knew if we took the doubles point we would be fine,” head coach Nick Brochu said. “We came out in singles on fire and played great tennis, especially Robert Hodel.”

USA stormed out of the gates by winning the doubles point in convincing fashion. Marek Sramek and Hodel dominated at the No. two position, winning 8-1 over Alex McCann and John Peers. Jack Baker and RJ Nagel then dispatched Morgan Rich and Marc Rocafort ,8-4, on the No. one court to clinch the point.

Middle Tennessee’s Chris Nowak retired his match against R.J. Nagel to put USA up 2-0. Nagel held a 5-1 edge before the match was retired. The Jags continued with the strong play with Hodel and Sramek each gaining points with 6-2, 6-2 victories. Hodel’s win was the clinching point, allowing for two other Jaguars to stop play and gain extra rest for the finals

“We wanted to be fresh for tomorrow and Denver was on the court for five hours so we should have an advantage tommorrow,” Brochu added. “We need to come out strong in doubles because they are good team at singles and that first point is key.”

The finals of the Sun Belt Conference Tennis Championships continue with a 2 p.m start with the Jaguars and the Pioneers, Sunday. Live coverage of the number-one courts in singles and doubles will be available at sunbeltsports.org and final tournament results can be accessed at usajaguars.com.


Singles competition

1. Jack Baker (USAM) vs. Marc Rocafort (MT) 6-1, 3-6, unfinished
2. Robert Hodel (USAM) def. John Peers (MT) 6-2, 6-2
3. Marek Sramek (USAM) def. Morgan Richard (MT) 6-2, 6-2
4. R.J. Nagel (USAM) def. Chris Nowak (MT) 5-1, retired
5. Aaron Krisan (USAM) vs. Joao Paoliello (MT) 4-6, 2-3, unfinished
6. Alex McCann (MT) def. Michael O'Brien (USAM) 6-1, 6-
Doubles competition
1. Jack Baker/R.J. Nagel (USAM) def. Morgan Richard/Marc Rocafort (MT) 8-4
2. Robert Hodel/Marek Sramek (USAM) def. John Peers/Alex McCann (MT) 8-1
3. Aaron Krisan/Michael O'Brien (USAM) vs. Joao Paoliello/Kyle Wishing (MT) 3-6, unfinished

Match Notes:
Middle Tennessee 9-13; National ranking #71
University of South Alabama 13-8; National ranking #60
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (4,6,2,3)