Complete Results

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate grabbed an early lead after claiming the doubles point, but the University of South Alabama women’s tennis team responded by sweeping all six singles matches to win 6-1 over the Spartans Sunday at the USC Upstate Tennis Complex.

USA improved to 14-8 in their spring campaign, while USCU dropped to 12-6 overall.

“We had a great bounce-back performance today,” said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. “Good things happen to this team when we are fully vested and play with some desperation.”

The Jaguars picked up the first win of the day in doubles on court No. 1, but the Spartans answered with wins at Nos. 2 and 3 to secure the doubles point and take a 1-0 lead.

South Alabama won the first four singles matches in straight sets and the last two matches in three sets to clinch the win.

Freshman Paula Sanchez (Bogota, Columbia) downed Sarah Vande Berg 6-3, 6-0 at No. 6 to tie the match at 1-1. Freshman Michaela Meszarosova (Bratislava, Slovakia) followed with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Isabel von Stryk in the No. 1 flight. Sophomore Mary Angela Martin (Mobile, Ala.) gave the Jags a 3-1 advantage when she topped Talia Rojas 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3.

Sophomore Emily Newton (Dothan, Ala.) secured the win for USA with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Constanze Kuerten at the No. 2 spot.

Allison Beeler fell 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) to sophomore Ramona Ghermani (Bad Wimpfen, Germany) on the No. 4 court and freshman Cinta Maria Papke (Flein, Germany) rounded out the day when she edged Julie Bell 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-2) at No. 5.

“With regards to the big picture, this was definitely a quality win and will help us tremendously,” said Keyser. “This is not a young team anymore. We have 20 plus matches under our belt and the constant mental lapses are not acceptable. Having said that, I think we showed some good character and should gain some confidence from winning an important match after losing the doubles point and having a few people playing a spot or two higher in singles.”

South Alabama is back in action in Wednesday when they take on Tulane at 2 p.m. in New Orleans, La.

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—