Complete Results

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The University of South Alabama women’s tennis team won three of four singles matches in straight sets to overcome a doubles-point loss and defeat Middle Tennessee 4-2 Sunday morning at the Nashboro Village.

The Jaguars win for the third time in the last four matches to improve to 12-6 overall. The Blue Raiders drop to 7-8.

“For where we are in our growth process, days like today are crucial,” USA head coach Jaco Keyser said. “Once again we faced plenty of adversity on the road with health and playing indoors.  Therefore, this was a huge win to beat the same MTSU team that finished third in the conference last year and beat us twice.

“This win validates our progress, and the part that gets me excited is the fact that after losing the doubles point and playing indoors, we stayed the course and trusted our fundamentals and playing style.”

Sophomores Emily Newton (Dothan, Ala.) and Ramona Ghermani (Bad Wimpfen, Germany) gave USA a 2-1 lead with a pair of straight-sets victories. Newton defeated Nayara Moraes 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3 and Ghermani won 6-3, 6-4 at No. 4 over Carla Nava.

The Blue Raiders pulled even with a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 2 by Flavia Nagayama, but freshman Michaela Meszarosova (Bratislava, Slovakia) outlasted Yuiri Nomoto 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 to put the Jaguars back ahead 3-2.

Sophomore Mary Angela Martin (Mobile, Ala.) clinched the match at No. 6, dropping just two games in a 6-0, 6-2 win.

“Today was a great effort and more importantly, a huge win for the program,” Keyser said.

USA drew first blood in doubles when Martin and freshman Cinta Maria Papke (Flein, Germany) shut out MTSU 8-0 at No. 3 but Middle Tennessee took the point with victories of 8-3 and 8-6 at No. 1 and 2, respectively.

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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