GAINESVILLE, Fla.?The University of South Alabama's women's tennis team fell to Western Michigan in the first match of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Team Indoor Championships. The Lady Jags lost to the No. 55 Broncos 4-3 Saturday at Linder Stadium at the Ring Tennis Complex on the campus of the University of Florida.
In doubles action, the 56th-ranked Lady Jags led the Broncos early at the No. 2 flight, but the Broncos rallied from a 4-1 deficit to win 8-6. USA battled back, pushing the No. 1 match to a tiebreaker, but Michaela Babicova and Alina Volman could not hold on and fell to WMU's Emily Dudzik and Yumi Matsuto 9-8(7-3).
After falling at the No. 1 position in singles play, the Jaguars (1-1) struck back with a win at No. 6, but Marie Boura fell to Amanda Moccia at No. 5 to give the Broncos a 3-1 advantage. The Lady Jags rebounded and won matches at No. 3 and No. 2 to even the match at three.
Katie Welch took the first set over Ashley Moccia in an impressive tiebreaker, 13-11, but dropped the last two sets, 6-3, 6-3, to end the match at 4-3 in favor of WMU.
The Lady Jags are back in action at 10 a.m. on Sunday against No. 70 Oklahoma State who lost to No.7 Florida, 4-0, in the morning match on Saturday.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA(1872).
Tennis Match Results
Western Michigan vs University of South Alabama
Jan 31, 2009 at Gainesville, Fla.
#55 Western Michigan 4, #56 University of South Alabama 3
Singles competition
1. Kerstin Pahl (WMU) def. Sylvanie Spangenberg (USAW) 6-0, 6-0
2. Michaela Babicova (USAW) def. Emily Dudzik (WMU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Erica Krisan (USAW) def. Jenny Nalepa (WMU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Ashley Moccia (WMU) def. Katie Welch (USAW) 6-7 (11-13), 6-3, 6-3
5. Amanda Moccia (WMU) def. Marie Boura (USAW) 6-1, 6-4
6. Alina Volman (USAW) def. Rachel Denny (WMU) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Emily Dudzik/Yumi Matsuto (WMU) def. Michaela Babicova/Alina Volman (USAW) 9-8 (7-3)
2. Ashley Moccia/Jenny Nalepa (WMU) def. Sylvanie Spangenberg/Marie Boura (USAW) 8-6
3. Erica Krisan/Katie Welch (USAW) vs. Amanda Moccia/Kerstin Pahl (WMU) unfinished
Match Notes:
Western Michigan 4-1; National ranking #55
University of South Alabama 1-1; National ranking #56
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (1,6,5,3,2,4)
--USA--
