Results

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On the back of five straight-sets victories in singles, the North Florida women’s tennis team defeated the University of South Alabama 6-1 Sunday at the UNF Tennis Complex.

The Ospreys improve to 5-3 while the Jaguars drop their third straight match to fall to 4-3.

“There were definitely some growing pains this weekend,” USA head coach Jaco Keyser said. “We came to Florida to see where we were as a team. What we saw was not very pretty. We have to make a decision as a program what we are going to do from here. You hate to overstate it since it is February, but we can either work really hard and get where we need to be or it will be a long season.

“The bottom line is, we can focus on our youth or focus on getting better.”

After winning the doubles point with wins at Nos. 1 and 3 by scores of 8-1 and 8-3, respectively, North Florida lost no more than four games in taking the first three singles matches to clinch the match.

Lorena Aviles started with a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 1 over freshman Michaela Meszarosova (Bratislava, Slovakia). Simona Weymar topped Emily Newton (Dothan, Ala.) 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 and Taylor Hollander closed out the match 6-2, 6-1 at No. 5 over sophomore Mary Angela Martin (Mobile, Ala.).

In between two more UNF victories in straight sets, freshman Paula Sanchez (Bogota, Colombia) accounted for the Jags’ lone point by defeating Rebeca Pereira 6-2, 7-5 at No. 6.

South Alabama returns home to host New Orleans Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m.

“We have a great opportunity with three matches to measure improvement this week,” Keyser said.

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—