MONROE, La. ? The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team added another trophy to its collection by winning its 18th Sun Belt Conference Tennis Title with a 4-2 win over 45th ranked Denver, Sunday. Junior netter Marek Sramek was named the Tournament MVP after winning all three singles and doubles matches.

“This year has been a crazy year and we have had a lot of ups and downs, but they put it together at the end of the season and played their best tennis when it counted,” head coach Nick Brochu said. “ The guys were in this position last year so that experience really helped today when we needed it.”

The Pioneers hit the courts first with wins at the number one and three doubles courts to gain the crucial first point. The duo of Robert Hodel and Sramek were the only Jaguars to gain a win by defeating Andrew Landwerlen and David Simson, 8-5.

The Jags, who lost 4-2 two weeks ago to Denver, came out strong in singles play winning on courts one through four. Seniors Jack Baker, Robert Hodel and R.J. Nagel all posted victories in their final Sun Belt Tournament and Sramek clinched the final point against David Simson, 7-5, 6-3.

“I was trying to stay focused on my match and keep everything else out of my mind,” Sramek noted. “It is a great feeling to win the MVP, but without the other guys on the team I never would have won it.”

“We didn’t panic when we lost the doubles point and we came out in singles and just played really good tennis,” Brochu added.

Stayed tuned to usajaguars.com for more on the men’s tennis team as they will head to the NCAA Tournament, May 9-10.


#60 University of South Alabama 4, #45 Denver 2
 Singles competition
1. Jack Baker (USAM) def. Adam Holmstrom (DEN) 1-6, 6-2, 6-3
2. Robert Hodel (USAM) def. Niklas Persson (DEN) 7-5, 6-0
3. Marek Sramek (USAM) def. David Simson (DEN) 7-5, 6-3
4. R.J. Nagel (USAM) def. Benny Althaus (DEN) 6-1, 6-2
5. Andrew Landwerlen (DEN) vs. Aaron Krisan (USAM) 4-6, 6-2, 3-3, unfinished
6. Kalle Rosen (DEN) def. Michael O'Brien (USAM) 6-0, 6-0

 Doubles competition
1. Niklas Persson/Adam Holmstrom (DEN) def. Jack Baker/R.J. Nagel (USAM) 8-1
2. Robert Hodel/Marek Sramek (USAM) def. Andrew Landwerlen/David Simson (DEN) 8-5
3. Benny Althaus/Kalle Rosen (DEN) def. Aaron Krisan/Michael O'Brien (USAM) 8-6