Results
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women’s tennis team defeated Jacksonville State 6-1 Wednesday at the JSU Tennis Courts.
The Jaguars won their fifth straight match and improved to 9-4 overall in the spring while the Gamecocks fell to 3-10.
“This was a tricky match,” said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. “Jacksonville State competes like a team who has won their conference two or three years in a row.”
Freshmen Mary Angela Martin (Mobile, Ala.) and Ramona Ghermani (Bad Wimpfen, Germany) paired up on court No. 3 to sweep Danielle Kerindi and Kelly Tomlin 8-0. At the No. 1 spot Raisa Guasti and Raphaela Lima topped senior Chané Hines (Johannesburg, South Africa) and sophomore Emily Newton (Dothan, Ala.) 8-5.
The USA tandem of senior Alina Volman (Lugansk, Ukraine) and freshman Mariya Krachok (Kiev, Ukraine) clinched the doubles point for the Jaguars with an 8-5 victory over Rafaela Wenzel and Zoe Bizinos.
“After a slow start in doubles we did a great job of matching their enthusiasm and fight,” said Keyser.
Krachok picked up the first singles win for South Alabama in straight sets when she defeated Tomlin 6-1, 6-1 on the No. 6 court. Newton blanked Bizinos 6-0, 6-0 at the No. 4 flight.
Martin secured the win for the Jags with her 6-0, 6-2 victory over Kerindi.
Ghermani defeated Lima 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 2 spot. Wenzel picked up the only point for JSU when she topped Hines 6-7, (ret.). Volman rounded out singles play with a 7-5, 7-6 win over Guasti.
“We are slowly starting to consistently put out seven solid points,” said Keyser. “Overall, we gave a real solid effort playing-wise, and more importantly, I feel like we are forming an identity as a team who is ready for a brawl any place and any time.”
The Jaguars return to action Saturday March 17 when they travel to Lake Charles, La. to take on McNeese State 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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