Complete Results

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – UAB bounced back after losing the doubles point, winning three singles matches in straight sets to defeat the University of South Alabama men’s tennis team 4-1 Saturday afternoon at the Racquet Club of Memphis.

The Blazers win for the third time in their last four matches to improve to 15-10 while the Jaguars drop to 10-12.

“This loss is hard to swallow after winning the doubles point and having the lead in most of matches,” USA head coach Nick Brochu said. “It is disappointing. Of course I could say that it is harder to win without our No. 1 player, Daniel (Leitner) being injured, but there is no excuse for the loss today. We were in good position to win the match and we failed to close.”

UAB jumped out to a 3-1 lead in singles thanks to wins at the top and bottom of the lineup. David Zimmerman tied the match at 1-1 with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 1 over senior Alex Bernard (Soisy Sur Seine, France).

The next two points came from the No. 5 and 6 positions. Luiz Felipe Pinto topped Cody Hall 7-5, 6-3 on the No. 5 court and Lucas Dirube extended the lead at No. 6, defeating sophomore Blake Gregor (Griffith, New South Wales, Australia) 6-2, 6-3.

Chris Helliar finished the match at No. 4, rallying from a first-set loss to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 over freshman Juan Troglia (Mendoza, Argentina).

“Today it looked like we played not to lose, instead of playing all-out without fear,” Brochu said.

The Jaguars grabbed the doubles point with victories at No. 2 and 3. UAB took the match on the No. 1 court 8-4, but Troglia and senior Cody Hall (Albuquerque, N.M.) answered with an 8-6 win at No. 3, while Bernard and Shayann Vaezzadeh (Bavent, France) put the Jags up 1-0 after an 8-4 victory at No. 2.

South Alabama wraps up the regular season Sunday at No. 36 Memphis.

“Our opponent tomorrow is even better,” Brochu said. “We need to play without any pressure, with the same intensity as we want at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament next week. We need to play relax and go ‘all in.’”

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—