Results

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Rebounding from their first loss of the season, the University of South Alabama women's tennis team took the doubles point and won four singles matches in straight sets to clinch a 5-2 victory over UAB on Saturday at George Ward Park.

The Jaguars improved to 9-1 in their spring campaign, while the Blazers dropped to 4-8 overall.

"We had a solid bounce back today," said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. "It's always scary after a loss, but I think in the long run, yesterday's loss made us see what still needs to be done. It will make us a better team."

South Alabama clinched doubles with wins at the Nos. 1 and 3 positions. Freshmen Laura Valkova (Piestany, Slovakia) and Monica Mitta (Fairhope, Ala.) got the Jags on the board with an 8-2 win over Pardis Kianoush and Paula Castro at No. 1. Rachel Daniell and Elaine Simon responded with an 8-4 win over junior Emily Newton (Dothan, Ala.) and sophomore Michaela Meszarosova (Bratislava, Slovakia) on the No. 1 court.

Sophomores Paula Sanchez (Bogota, Columbia) and Cinta Maria Papke (Flein, Germany) defeated Amy Lowther and Catherine Ragon 8-5 at No. 3 to give USA a 1-0 lead.

In singles action, Daniell evened the match at 1-1 when she topped Meszarosova 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot. Freshman Laura Matuskova (Bratislava, Slovkia) answered with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Castro. Sanchez put the Jags up 3-1 when she dropped Ragon 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 6 flight.

Remaining undefeated and picking up her 10th win this spring, Valkova downed Lowther 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2 to secure the match for South Alabama.

Kianoush claimed the final point for the Blazers when she topped Newton 6-3, 6-2 on the No. 3 court. Mitta earned her ninth victory in straight sets this season with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Simon in the No. 4 flight.

"It was nice to see Newton back in the singles lineup because her mere presence makes us a better team," said Keyser. "We still have a lot of work to be done, but our curve is definitely on an upward swing."

The Jaguars are back in action Tuesday, March 11 as they host Eastern Kentucky at 10 a.m.

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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