Mufreesboro, Tenn. ? The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team (10-7) opened up the Sun Belt Shootout with a third place ranking, but knocked off the number four and one seeds after day one of the two-day tournament, Saturday. The Jaguars opened up the morning session with a 4-2 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette and then downed the number-one seed Middle Tennessee by the same score, in the afternoon.

Against Lafayette, the Jaguars jumped on the board early winning two of the three doubles matches and gaining the early first point. USA then spilt the singles matches three to three, but freshman Aaron Krisan was the deciding point, winning over Murilo Martins, 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-3.

“We played dominant in doubles and that was a good start for us,” head coach Nick Brochu said. “In singles, even though Jack couldn’t play due to an injury, the guys rallied and for Aaron to clinch was nice to see.”

With the early win South Alabama was then matched against number one seeded and host Middle Tennessee. The Jaguars only won one doubles point, but for the first time all season the Jags were able to pick up the victory after losing the first point. Brochu’s club won at the number one, three, four and six positions to pick up the 4-2 win.

“This match was big battle and knew it would tough to win, but the guys fought back all match,” Brochu added. “This was a good team (MT) and even though we lost the doubles point it was nice to see the guys regroup and win.”

South Alabama will play in the championship match of the Sun Belt Shootout against Denver at 1 p.m., Sunday. Stayed tuned to usajaguars.com for final tournament results.

University of South Alabama 4, Louisiana-Lafayette 2

1. Piotrek Olechowski (UL) def. #28 Jack Baker (USAM) 6-0, 6-3
2. Marek Sramek (USAM) vs. Piotrek Banas (UL) 4-6, 6-4, 5-5, unfinished
3. Robert Hodel (USAM) def. Arlen Domoney (UL) 6-3, 6-3
4. R.J. Nagel (USAM) def. Jorge Delgado (UL) 6-0, 6-1
5. Aaron Krisan (USAM) def. Murilo Martins (UL) 6-7, 6-3, 6-3
6. Stefan Hawkins (UL) def. Michael O'Brien (USAM) 7-5, 6-0

Doubles
1. Jack Baker/R.J. Nagel (USAM) def. Arlen Domoney/Jorge Delgado (UL) 8-0
2. Robert Hodel/Marek Sramek (USAM) def. Piotrek Olechowski/Piotrek Banas (UL) 8-2
3. Stefan Hawkins/Murilo Martins (UL) def. Michael O'Brien/Aaron Krisan (USAM) 8-3

Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,4,3,6,5)

University of South Alabama 4, Middle Tennessee 2
Singles
1. #28 Jack Baker (USAM) def. John Peers (MT) 6-5, 6-3
2. Marc Rocafort (MT) vs. Robert Hodel (USAM) 6-7, 4-3, unfinished
3. Marek Sramek (USAM) def. Morgan Richard (MT) 6-2, 6-1
4. R.J. Nagel (USAM) def. Richard Cowden (MT) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0
5. Joao Paoliello (MT) def. Michael O'Brien (USAM) 6-0, 6-4
6. Aaron Krisan (USAM) def. Chris Nowak (MT) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Jack Baker/R.J. Nagel (USAM) def. Marc Rocafort/Morgan Richard (MT) 8-5
2. John Peers/Richard Cowden (MT) def. Robert Hodel/Marek Sramek (USAM) 8-6
3. Chris Nowak/Joao Paoliello (MT) def. Michael O'Brien/Aaron Krisan (USAM) 8-2

Match Notes:
Middle Tennessee 7-13; National ranking #68
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,6,3,1,4,2)