MOBILE, Ala. - The University of South Alabama women's tennis team fell to the North Florida Ospreys 6-1 Saturday in their season opener on the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Courts.

"We fought hard throughout the entire match," USA head coach Jaco Keyser said. "North Florida is a really good team and we have a lot of hard work ahead of us."

South Alabama started strong, picking up wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.  Junior Katie Welch paired with sophomore Chané Hines at the No. 1 flight to defeat Raquel Castro and Aline Berkenbrock 8-6. The USA duo of Marie Boura and Jess Courtnell clinched the doubles point by beating the Ospreys' Danielle Day and Lauren Holton 9-7.

The Ospreys swept the singles action easily, winning all four matches in straight sets. USA's Boura fell to Castro 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 2 spot followed by Welch's loss to Berkenbrock on the No. 1 court 6-3, 6-0 clinching the win for UNF.

North Florida earned wins at the No. 5 and No. 6 flights by default.

The Jags will be back in action Feb. 19 at home against Sun Belt Conference foe Florida International at 1:30 p.m..

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

-USA-