BOCA RATON, Fla. – The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team picked up three quick points to start the match, but Florida Atlantic rallied and came back to edge the Jaguars 4-3 at Patch Reef Park Thursday.

“We were up 3-0 and we were winning at No. 1 and No. 6 singles,” USA head coach Nick Brochu said. “We really thought we were going to be able to close the match quickly, but the momentum shifted and FAU came back. It’s definitely disappointing having the feeling that you’re cruising through a match then losing 4-3. The guys are extremely upset, but Florida Atlantic deserves a lot of credit. They fought really hard.”

South Alabama took the doubles point with wins on the No. 2 and No. 3 courts. The Jaguar tandem of Dauw Kruger and Lucas Viel defeated the Owls’ Derek Madon and Joshua Scholl 8-2 followed by Romain Bocaert and Christian Kuehne’s 8-4 victory over FAU’s Marc Abdelnour and Ervin Garibovic.

In singles action, USA continued their dominance over Florida Atlantic nabbing the first two points. At the No. 2 flight, Bocaert, a junior, downed Florida Atlantic’s top singles performer, Lawrence Harradine, in straight sets 6-3, 6-0. Kuehne followed with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Garibovic on the No. 3 court.

“Romain and Christian played like mature tennis players today and really came through for us,” said Brochu.

The Owls earned the remaining four points and the win with victories at the No. 1, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 positions. FAU freshman Matthew Braunworth clinched the win for the Owls when he snapped Kruger’s eight-match win streak with a 7-5, 6-3 victory at No. 6 singles.

Next the Jags will host SBC rival No. 74 Troy on March 25 at 1 p.m. on the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts. Admission to all home matches is free.

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).

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