MOBILE, Ala. - The University of South Alabama women’s tennis team heads west for back-to-back matches against Sun Belt opponents No. 60 North Texas and Florida International Friday and Saturday in Denton, Texas.

The Mean Green enters the match with a 6-4 overall record, while the Panthers are 1-8 so far this spring. The Jaguars will take on North Texas Friday at 3 p.m. and FIU Saturday at noon. 

“These matches will be a good test run for conference since it is played in Denton,” said USA head coach Jaco Keyser.

USA holds a 4-2 record, coming off a 5-2 win over William Carey Sunday.

South Alabama easily picked up the doubles point to take 1-0 lead. After two consecutive singles victories, freshman Mary Angela Martin (Mobile, Ala.) secured the win for USA after defeating Sarah-Maria Spurch 6-2, 6-2.

Keyser is now one win away from tying the school record for career wins. He has 126 in 10 seasons as head coach at South Alabama.

UNT leads the all-time series with the Jaguars 2-1 and defeated USA 6-1 in their last meeting on March 17, 2011.

Ilona Serchenko holds a 7-3 overall record for the Mean Green and has won five of her last six matches against ranked teams.

South Alabama is tied 10-10 with Florida International for the all-time series. The Panthers swept the Jags 7-0 last season. USA is attempting to snap an 8-game losing streak to FIU.

FIU picked up their only win this season over No. 66 Fresno State 4-2 and has played seven ranked opponents in nine matches.

“This weekend will be another opportunity to carve our identity as a team and work on executing our game plans while on the road,” said Keyser.

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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