Results

LAKE CHARLES, La. – After easily securing the doubles point, the University of South Alabama women’s tennis team went on to defeat McNeese State 7-0 Saturday afternoon at the Nancy Hank Tennis Complex.

USA has won its last six matches to improve to 10-4. McNeese State dropped to 1-10.

“We put out seven competitive points today,” said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. “When we do that we are a solid team and someone will have to play really well to get us.”

Freshmen Mary Angela Martin (Mobile, Ala.) and Ramona Ghermani (Bad Wimpfen, Germany) defeated Lara Pujol and Marcella Castaldi 8-1 at No. 2 and sophomore Emily Newton (Dothan, Ala.) and freshman Mariya Krachok (Kiev, Ukraine) won 8-1 over Andreea Nenu and Diana Pirciu on the No. 3 court.

The Jaguars clinched the match with three straight-sets victories in singles and added two more to complete the sweep.

Ghermani defeated Pujol 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 2 flight, followed by Martin’s 6-3, 6-0 win over Castaldi at No. 5. Hines topped Surkova 6-1, 6-3 on the No. 3 court.

“It is definitely nice to see the girls accept the challenge and not be scared to engage and compete on a daily basis,” said Keyser.

Krachok won 7-5, 6-1 over Nenu in the No. 6 flight and Volman defeated Tvrtkovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 at No. 1.

Newton rounded out singles play with a 7-6, 6-1 victory over Pirciu at the No. 4 spot.

“This is the same team that beat us pretty bad last year so it is good to see us keep moving in the right direction,” said Keyser. “Just like today, every match will be a battle for us as we try to move up the ranks and gain the respect of the teams we play.”

South Alabama returns to action tomorrow to face Lamar at 11 a.m. in Beaumont, Texas.

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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