Complete Results

TALLAHASSE, Fla. – University of South Alabama senior Alex Bernard earned two victories, including a win at No. 3 singles to secure the match in the Jaguars' 4-3 win over Florida A&M Sunday at the Speicher Tennis Center.

USA improved to 1-0 overall, while FAMU fell to 0-4 in their spring campaign.

“Florida A&M was very tough today,” said USA head coach Nick Brochu. “We knew we needed a strong start, which we had in doubles. We had a lot of problems with keeping our momentum today. Every time we had a good sequence of two or three good points we would follow with two or three mistakes.”

Bernard teamed up with junior Shayann Vaezzedah to clinch the doubles point with an 8-6 win over Chidi Gabriel and Admire Mushonga at the No. 2 spot. Bernard later won 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 over Mushonga, breaking a 3-3 tie, to secure the match for South Alabama.

“Alex showed why he is a senior and the team captain by staying relaxed even after losing the second set and clinched the win for us,” said Brochu. “I’m very proud of him.”

Senior Cody Hall and sophomore Blake Gregor picked up the first win of the day with their 8-6 victory over Temuera Asafu-Adjaye and Zack Everden at No. 3 doubles. Sophomore Daniel Leitner and freshman Gerhard Gruindelingh fell 8-6 to Salif Kante and Takura Happy on the No. 1 court.

In singles, Kante downed Gruindelingh 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 1 flight, followed by Vaezzedah’s 6-1, 6-1 win over Everden at No. 5, putting the Jaguars up 2-1.

Happy defeated Hall 6-2, 6-3 at No. 4. Leitner fell 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 to Gabriel at the No. 2 spot, giving FAMU a 3-2 lead.

“We unfortunately had an injury at No. 1 and lost quickly,” said Brochu. “The guys fought hard but it was not enough on some courts. Florida A&M played an excellent match and almost ran away with the win.”

Gregor outlasted Asafu-Adjaye 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) at the No. 6 position, tying the match at 3-3. 

“Florida A&M is a dangerous team and we really played with fire today,” said Brochu. “We need to be tougher tomorrow.”

South Alabama returns to action tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. CST against No. 32 Florida State.

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).

—USA—