MOBILE, Ala. – After opening their season with six matches on the road, University of South Alabama men’s tennis team will host New Orleans Wednesday at 1 p.m. for their first home match on the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.
The Jaguars enter the match with a 3-5 record in their spring campaign after falling 6-1 to George Washington, but rebounding with a 4-2 win over No. 60 Georgia State last weekend.
“We had two completely different matches this weekend,” said USA head coach Nick Brochu. “I give credit to George Washington. They were very explosive and hungry on the court. They played very well. Before the match against Georgia State we talked about turning everything around after we lost a couple of matches we felt we should have won. We had to really work hard and I think that’s what we did on Sunday.”
Senior Alex Bernard (Soisy Sur Seine, France) is 5-3 overall at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. He won both singles matches on the weekend in straight sets. Bernard claimed the only point for the Jags against George Washington with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 win over Nikita Fomin.
Freshman Juan Troglia (Mendoza, Argentina) picked up his first career win as a Jaguar with a straight-sets win over Lucas Santa Ana of No. 60 Georgia State.
“I really like how our newcomers are playing now,” said Brochu. “The more matches they play the better they get. They’re starting to find their games and I’m happy they are helping the team win matches.”
Wednesday will mark the 17th meeting with New Orleans. USA holds a 14-2 advantage in the series and topped UNO 6-1 the last time the two teams met in 2010.
The Privateers are 4-2 overall in their spring season and currently hold a three-match win streak after defeating Nicholls State, Prairie View A&M and Lamar. Rui Silva leads New Orleans with a 3-2 record at the No. 1 spot.
“We haven’t played New Orleans in about two years because they left the conference, but we saw their players in the fall,” said Brochu. “They’re actually very good and I think they’re sitting on top of their conference. We have to get ready. They’re one of those teams where we have to make a strong start because if they start believing they can beat you then you’re facing a completely different team. So the first three or four games are going to be crucial.”
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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