MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women's tennis team starts a four-match homestand this week as they face Eastern Kentucky and Texas State at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

USA will take on the Colonels Tuesday at 10 a.m. and the Bobcats Thursday at 1 p.m.

After dropping their first match of the season to Samford 5-2 on Friday, the Jaguars rebounded with a 5-2 win over UAB on Saturday. South Alabama is 9-1 this spring and 5-0 in home matches.

"Both matches were very competitive this weekend," said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. "We would have liked to get the win against Samford, but we let that one slip a little bit. They played a good match. All-in-all it was a pretty good weekend."

Freshman Laura Valkova (Piestany, Slovakia) picked up the only singles win for the Jags against Samford to remain undefeated this season. Valkova posts a 10-0 mark in the top three spots. Freshman Monica Mitta (Fairhope, Ala.) is 9-1 at Nos. 3 and 4 and has won all nine matches in straight sets. Valkova and Mitta pair up for 8-0 overall record at the doubles No. 2 spot.

"Both girls have some confidence going right now," said Keyser. We really need them to keep it going and hopefully slide into some higher spots to give a little relief to one or two of the girls that are trying to work out some kinks in their game. I'm happy for them. They've had a good start to their college careers, and hopefully that motivates them to just keep on getting better."

Tuesday will mark the first-ever meeting between South Alabama and Eastern Kentucky. The Colonels own a 4-7 mark in their spring campaign, but are 1-4 on the road. EKU snapped a six-match losing streak with a 6-1 victory over Jacksonville State on Sunday. Kristina Labeja leads the Colonels with a 7-3 record at the top two spots. Laeja pairs with Melissa Gerritsen to post a 4-3 mark in doubles at Nos. 1 and 2.

"Eastern Kentucky's record is a little misleading because they have such a loaded schedule," said Keyser. "They dominate the Ohio Valley Conference. They win a lot and go to the NCAA Tournament every year. I know a bunch of their players, so I know it's going to be a tough match."

South Alabama leads the all-time series with new Sun Belt foe Texas State 1-0. The two teams haven't faced off since 1989 when the Jags won 6-3. The Bobcats are 6-3 this spring and had their six-match win streak broken after falling to Northwestern State (4-2) and Rice (7-0) last week. Jessica Kahts is 7-3 at the No. 1 spot with six of those wins coming in straight sets. Katy Collins and Eva Dench lead the Bobcats' doubles teams with a 6-1 mark in the No. 3 flight.

"We haven't really played Texas State, but obviously they have a very good team," said Keyser. "They have been beating up on Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe, two schools who are usually pretty strong in our conference. It's going to be a rough week with some very good tennis."

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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