Complete Results

DES MOINES, Iowa – University of South Alabama sophomore Tuki Jacobs (Windhoek, Namibia) picked up his third win this season to clinch the men's tennis team's 5-2 win over Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.

After winning their third straight match, the Jaguars improved to 4-2 this spring, while the Kangaroos fell to 3-2 overall.

Jacobs won 6-3, 6-4 over Vinh Pham at the No. 3 spot. With this win, Jacobs has taken two matches in straight sets this season, giving him a 3-2 mark overall.

"This was a good win today, especially since it was our first indoor match," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "Tuki played some solid tennis to give us a good win."

South Alabama secured the doubles point with wins at the Nos. 1 and 3 positions. Senior Daniel Leitner (Niederfischbach, Germany) and junior Gerhard Gruindelingh (Pretoria, South Africa) got the Jags on the board with a 6-3 win over Mike Psarros and Airam Castellano at No. 1. Senior Manuel Belda (Posadas, Misiones, Argentina) and freshman Olivier Gingras (Quebec City, Quebec, Canada) followed with a 6-3 victory over Conner Edwards and Amaury Navette on the No. 3 court.

"The guys did well," said Brochu. "Our goal was to have a quick start and we did, winning the doubles point."

Uldis Gaismins and Andrey Smirnov defeated juniors Tim Srkala (Brno, Czech Republic) and Juan Troglia (Mendoza, Argentina) 6-3 in the No. 2 flight.

In singles action, Srkala gave USA a 2-0 lead when he downed Smirnov 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2. Leitner, ranked No. 113 in the nation, dropped Castellano 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 1 spot.

"Our leaders, Daniel and Tim, dominated their singles and gave us two quick points in singles," said Brochu.

The Jaguars took a 4-0 lead over the Kangaroos with Jacobs' victory. Edwards earned a point for UMKC when he defeated Troglia 4-6, 6-3, (10-3) on the No. 6 court, but Gruindelingh answered with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) win over Gaismins in the No. 4 flight. Psarros outlasted Gingras 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), (10-7) at No. 5.

The Jags are back in action Sunday as they face Drake at 10 a.m.

"Tomorrow will be a good challenge," said Brochu. "We will have to show a lot of character. Drake will be loud and aggressive. We need to answer back and match their intensity. The guys are looking forward to the challenge."

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—