MOBILE, Ala. --- Tulane clinched early and dropped just two sets in a 6-1 victory over the University of South Alabama women’s tennis team Saturday afternoon at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

The Green Wave, ranked sixth in the Southern Region, improves to 8-4 on the season while the Jaguars fall to 1-7.

“There were some good signs of fight at number three singles,” said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. “Hopefully we can use that as a rallying point. We lost the first set but dug in and showed some pride and guts. Overall I hope everyone can look at that and use it as a reference in tomorrow’s match and in the near future.”

The Jaguars’ only win came at No. 3 from sophomore Chané Hines (Johannesburg, South Africa), who rallied from a set down to win 2-6, 6-4, (10-3). It is her third singles victory of the season.

“It wasn’t spectacular tennis but she hung in there and started figuring things out,” said Keyser. “The bottom line is that she competed hard and played hard – not for three or four games but the entire match. Usually when those things happen, good results come.”

The Green Wave picked up the doubles point with triumphs of 8-1 and 8-5 at No. 2 and No. 1, respectively, and clinched the match at the No. 2 singles flight when USA’s Marie Boura (Paris, France) retired.

Tulane’s Mariam Kurdadze defeated junior Katie Welch (Mobile, Ala.) 6-4, 6-2 at No. 1 and Lindsay Dvorak bested freshman Jess Courtnell (Newcastle, England) at No. 4, 6-0, 6-2.

Tulane picked up victories at Nos. 5 and 6 singles via forfeit.

The Jaguars return to the court Sunday hosting Middle Tennessee at 11 a.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—