MOBILE, Ala. – As the 2014 regular season enters the homestretch, the University of South Alabama women's tennis team closes out the year with a pair of tough road matches Saturday and Sunday.

The Jaguars will take on No. 67 North Texas on Saturday at 11 a.m. and Texas-Arlington on Sunday at 10 a.m.

With the Sun Belt Conference Championships on the horizon, South Alabama brings its 14-1 record – the program's best after 15 matches – against two of its tougher opponents this season. The Jags have won six in a row after a sweep of three matches in Virginia a week ago.

"I think we might be peaking at the right time, especially this past weekend," said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. "We played some really good tennis and we held up pretty good physically, playing three days in a row. Because of that, mentally we're pretty strong. That should give us confidence going into the conference tournament."

The team dropped just two points in its three wins last week, defeating Norfolk State 7-0, Old Dominion 4-2 and Richmond 4-0, thanks to a 13-1 record in singles.

"For the first time this year, we put out seven good, quality points," Keyser said. "I think we have a shot against most teams if we can keep on doing that."

Freshmen Monica Mitta (Fairhope, Ala.) and Laura Valkova (Piestany, Slovakia) went 3-0 at No. 2 doubles to improve their spring record to 13-0 and vault them into the ITA doubles rankings at No. 86. The pair have lost no more than four games during their unbeaten run.

"That's a really good combination and it helps out with the doubles point because it builds pressure on the opponents on court 1 and 3," Keyser noted. "We are competitive in those spots so if they can keep that up, it definitely helps with the doubles point."

Since losing the first-ever meeting back in 1990, North Texas (9-10) has won five straight in the series with South Alabama, including a 4-3 win in the Sun Belt semifinals last season. The Mean Green have been ranked in the top 60 in each of the last three matchups.

"It's great timing, right before the conference tournament to play both North Texas and Texas-Arlington," Keyser said. "We've had some very close battles with North Texas in the last few years and it seems like they've found a way to beat us each time. I'm looking forward to it and it's a great opportunity, since they are nationally ranked, if we can get a win over them."

The match at UT Arlington will be the first between the two schools. The Mavericks (11-7) have won three in a row and knocked off North Texas 4-0 on April 2.

"All I know is that they're playing some pretty good tennis right now," Keyser said. "They've won a bunch in a row and they knocked off North Texas last week. It's nice to see them before the conference tournament and who knows, it might even be a matchup of the finals the following week."

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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