MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women’s tennis team heads to New Orleans to take on Xavier of Louisiana and Tulane in back-to-back matches this weekend.

The Jags will do battle with the Gold Nuggets, a member of NAIA Division I, on Saturday at 11 a.m. at City Park Tennis Center and they will face off with the Green Wave Sunday at 11 a.m. at Goldring Stadium.

“We are looking forward to some strong matches this weekend,” said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. “We really want to close out the regular season strong.”

USA (1-11) enters the weekend after falling to Sun Belt Conference foe Troy on April 6 in Troy, Ala. 7-0.

Junior Chané Hines leads the Jags in singles action with a 7-9 record overall and a 6-6 mark in dual matches. Hines is also USA’s top doubles performer posting a 9-7 overall mark and a 7-5 record in her spring campaign.

Saturday’s match will be the South Alabama’s first meeting with Xavier.

XULA is 3-15 this season and they are 2-5 on their home courts. In their last match the Gold Nuggets dropped an 8-1 decision to William Carey on the road.

Melissa DeLoach holds the top spot in doubles and singles action for Xavier. DeLoach is 7-14 in singles and 11-10 in doubles.

The Jaguars lead the all-time series with Tulane 22-6. The Green Wave topped the Jags 6-1 last season in Mobile.

Tulane (10-10) is 8-4 at Goldring Stadium. The Green Wave defeated Southern Miss 5-2 on April 14 in their last home.

Tulane’s No. 1, Mariam Kurdadze, is 20-13 overall and 12-7 so far this season. Emma Levy joins Kurdadze at the top, posting a 20-14 mark overall and a 12-7 record in the No. 2 flight.

Kurdaze has partnered with Levy to go 9-9 on the No. 1 doubles court.

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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