MURFREESBORO, Tenn. ? The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team picked up two huge wins over conference opponents on Saturday, but fell to no. 42 Denver in the finals of the Sun Belt Shootout 4-2, Sunday. The Jaguars fall to 10-8 on the year, while the Pioneers improved to 14-4.
“Today was tough because we were very tired after two matches yesterday, but it was good to see how hard the guys were fighting, one through six,” head coach Nick Brochu said.“ In the conference this year there a lot of teams who can win and it is going to be a battle in the end.”
Unlike Saturday against Middle Tennessee, the Jaguars were unable to regroup in singles after losing the important doubles point. Robert Hodel and Marek Sramek were the only singles players to gain wins for Brochu’s club. Playing at the number two position, Hodel knocked off Niklas Persson, 6-3 6-3 and Sramek defeated David Simson, 6-3 7-5.
“We cold have won the doubles point and that shows the doubles point is going to be very important in the conference tournament,” Brochu added. “We now need to get some rest and get healthy.”
The Jaguars will hit the road one last weekend as they travel to Virginia to take on William and Mary, Old Dominion and Virginia Commonwealth, Friday through Sunday. All match results can be accessed at usajaguars.com.
No. 42 Denver 4 def. South Alabama 2
DoublesDU wins 2-0
Order of finish: (3,1)
Adam Holstrom / Niklas Persson def. Jack Baker / R.J. Nagel, 9-7
Marek Sramek / Robert Hodel leading David Simson / Andrew Landwerlen 6-4, DNF
Kallie Rosen / Benny Althaus def. Aaron Krisan / Michael O’Brien, 8-2
SinglesDU win 3-2
Order of finish: (4,5,2,3,6)
Baker leading Holmstrom, 6-4, 6-7 (3)
Hodel def. Persson, 6-3, 6-3
Sramek def. Simson, 6-3, 7-5
Nagel retired to Althaus
Lyne Wheeler def. Krisan, 6-4, 6-1
Kalle Rosen def. O’Brien 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-1
