Results

DENTON, Texas – The University of South Alabama women’s tennis team won three singles matches in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Championships with a 4-0 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette Thursday morning.

USA, the No. 6 seed, improves its record to 14-5 and will face No. 3 seed Middle Tennessee Friday at 8 a.m. Eleventh-seeded ULL ends its season at 4-16.

“We had a good start to the tournament,” said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. “Louisiana-Lafayette was a tough first round match up. Their ability is two or three levels higher than what their record indicates.”

After winning the doubles point, senior Alina Volman (Lugansk, Ukraine) added to the Jaguar lead with a 6-1, 6-3 decision over Milou Israel No. 1. Freshman Ramona Ghermani (Bad Wimpfen, Germany) followed with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Erin Wilbert in the No. 2 flight for a 3-0 margin.

Sophomore Emily Newton (Dothan, Ala.) ended the match with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Tara Vasovic.

“We always compete well, but today we definitely went a step further and showed signs off believing in and trusting our games,” said Keyser.

The Jaguars claimed the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 flights. Martin and Ghermani struck first with an 8-3 win at No. 2.

USA’s team of Newton and freshman Mariya Krachok (Kiev, Ukraine) defeated Sandra Ahlqvist and Hannah Appleyard 8-3 to secure the 1-0 lead.

“Overall, I thought our body language was very professional and we did a good job of riding momentum in our favor and absorbing whatever momentum they created within the match,” said Keyser.
The Jags will try to avenge a 4-3 loss to MTSU earlier this season.

“We look forward to our next challenge tomorrow,” 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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