NORFOLK, Va. – The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team dropped a close 4-3 decision to Old Dominion in a four-hour marathon match today in Norfolk, Va.

"Our team is very talented,” USA head coach Nick Brochu said. “Everyone says it, but talent doesn't win championships, heart does. Today was a horrible day for us. We would take the lead, give it back, then win a set and drop the second set. You can’t win tough matches by being inconsistent and not focusing for every point.”

The Jags started the day strong with wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles to take the early 1-0 lead. The USA tandem of sophomores Romain Bocaert and Christian Kuehne led with a dominating 8-3 victory over the Monarchs’ Krzysztof Muzalewski and Yakov Diskin on the No. 1 court. At the No. 3 flight South Alabama’s junior Lucas Viel and sophomore Dauw Kruger clinched the doubles point when they beat Benjamin Chomette and Albert Ochagavia 8-3.

"We have been playing very well in doubles lately and we knew we were the favorites in today’s match,” said Brochu. “We clinched the doubles point quickly with wins at No.1 and No.3. In the team meeting between doubles and singles, I told the team to be aggressive and strong from the beginning to the end, and never give them hope they can come back."

The Jaguars carried that momentum into singles action with Kruger’s win in straight sets over Fahoum Fahoum 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 5 flight. Old Dominion rallied to take the next two points in straight sets at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. Old Domnion’s Alfredo Rodriguez added the third point in a row with a 0-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory over Hanno Bartsch at No. 6.

The Monarchs’ No. 1, Tobias Fanslow, followed with the match-winning point in a 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-4 decision over Bocaert. South Alabama freshman Alexandre Bernard earned their third and final point of the match with a hard-fought 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), (10-2) win over Krzysztof Muzalewski on the No. 4 court.  

"On the bright side, Dauw and Alex played some solid tennis and closed their matches,” said Brochu. “Dauw played like a senior and closed his match quickly to give us the early lead.  I am very pleased with the effort at No.1 singles.  Romain showed a lot of character fighting until the end. I know he wanted to give us the win, but some days there's just so much you can do.”

The Jags will return to the court Sunday morning at 9 a.m. to face Virginia Commonwealth in their last match of the regular season.

"We will analyze the day and regroup before tomorrow,” Brochu said. “VCU is a great team. Last year we came up short after winning five out of six first sets. We need to make sure we stay on top of them this year."

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).

-USA-