MOBILE, Ala. – Opening with a two-match homestand, the University of South Alabama women's tennis team kicks off its spring season this weekend at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

The Jaguars will face Jackson State Saturday at 11 a.m. and Alabama State Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
"It's nice to finally get started," said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. "It was a long fall and a big break since we're starting later in January. We just need to get out there and get into the flow of things and see what we're doing, good and bad, and hopefully get better as we continue."

Saturday will mark the first-ever meeting between South Alabama and Jackson State. JSU opened their spring season with a 7-0 loss to Ole Miss Wednesday.

The Jaguars lead the all-time series with the Hornets 1-0. The two teams faced off in March 2012 when South Alabama won 7-0.

ASU took on Mississippi State in their spring opener, but fell 6-0 to the Bulldogs.

USA returns five players from last year's squad: juniors Emily Newton and Mary Angela Martin and sophomores Michaela Meszarosova, Cinta Maria Papke and Paula Sanchez.

"Starting the fall the expectations for the returners was to just set the tone with regards to how hard they work on a day-to-day basis," said Keyser. "From that standpoint, they've done a great job. Hopefully they will just continue that this spring."

Collectively, the Jaguars had an overall record of 28-32 in singles and 19-8 in doubles in the fall campaign. Martin led the Jags with a 7-2 mark in singles and a 5-2 record in doubles. She also claimed the singles 'B' draw title at the USTA/ITA Southern Regional Championships.

"I think it was just good to have all nine girls participating in the fall," said Keyser. "We spent a lot of time of fitness. That was one of our main goals. We came together as a team and we will continue to work on team unity."

South Alabama added four individuals to the roster this year including freshmen Silvia Martinkova, Laura Matuskova, Monica Mitta and Laura Valkova.

The Jags' duo of Sanchez and Mitta advanced to the doubles 'B' draw final at the USTA/ITA Southern Regional Championships, and posted a 6-3 mark in their fall campaign. Mitta was also named a flight champion in singles at the Samford Invitational.

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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