MOBILE, Ala. --- The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team will travel to Boise, Idaho this weekend to take part in the Boise State Spring Break Tournament.

Among the schools participating are: Ball State, No. 23 Boise State, Fresno Pacific, Idaho State, Memphis, No. 44 Nebraska, Sacramento State and South Alabama.

“We’re going to play a minimum of three matches and all of them will be against solid competition,” said USA head coach Nick Brochu. “There are some really good teams up there and it will be a good opportunity.”

The action starts Friday morning when the Jaguars (7-7) take on Fresno Pacific at 9 a.m. USA will face either Nebraska or Sacramento State later in the day at 1:30 p.m.

Friday will mark South Alabama’s first action since defeating Georgia Southern 4-1 on March 15.

“I think the layoff will be good,” said Brochu. “We had a tough beginning of the season and I think we needed the break. Physically, I think the guys were a little tired and mentally it’s always good to get away from the court and reset. The guys are ready to start the second half of the year.”

Providing the initial opposition Friday will be Fresno Pacific. Ranked No. 2 nationally in the ITA NAIA poll, the Sunbirds are 12-1 on the season, with the lone loss coming to No. 4 California Baptist.

“Usually in the NAIA, the top three players are very good but they may be a little weaker at the bottom,” said Brochu. “We’re strong at all positions, so we’ll make sure to secure the points at the bottom. A lot of NAIA schools don’t play a lot of doubles because the format is different so if we can capture the doubles point early we should be fine.”

Senior Marek Sramek, who will assume the role of No. 1 singles player due to the season-ending injury to Sergio Ramirez, is 2-2 at the top flight and 6-4 overall. He has won four of his last five matches.

“It’s a little more pressure because before they were the top two players and were sharing the pressure, now he’s by himself,” said Brochu. “Marek has been in this position before ? he’s been ranked ? so he’s fully capable of playing that position. I have full confidence that he can beat anyone out there at the Boise State Tournament.”