Results

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With the score tied at 2-2, the University of South Alabama women’s tennis team lost just four games at flights 4-6 to clinch a 5-2 win over UAB Sunday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Center.

The Jaguars improve to 3-2 on the season and win their 21st consecutive match over the Blazers. UAB falls to 1-3.

“Today was a great bounce-back day,” said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. “I thought we had our back against the wall after yesterday and it was going to be key for a young team's development in how we responded. I think everyone raised their hand and said they want to compete, be tough and grind out matches.”

Sophomore Emily Newton (Dothan, Ala.) broke the 2-2 tie on the No. 5 court with a whitewashing of Richole Berger and freshman Mariya Krachok (Kiev, Ukraine) earned the vital fourth point at No. 4 when she defeated Menanteau Moolman 6-1, 6-2.
    
Freshman Mary Angela Martin (Mobile, Ala.) closed out the afternoon with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Rachel Cohen at No. 6.

The Jags easily earned the doubles point, losing just four games total, and senior Alina Volman (Lugansk, Ukraine) made it 2-0 with a three-set win at No. 1 over Paula Alvarez, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

UAB needed all three sets at Nos. 2 and 3 singles to even the match. Isabel Fernandez defeated Chané Hines (Johannesburg, South Africa) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 and Rachel Daniell downed Ramona Ghermani (Bad Wimpfen, Germany) 6-3, 6-7, 7-5.

“There were definitely some growing pains this weekend but this is a good young club with more than a fair shot at winning the Sun Belt Conference this year,” Keyser said.

South Alabama returns home to face Florida A&M Saturday at 11 a.m.

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

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