Complete Results

MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama senior Daniel Leitner (Niederfischbach, Germany) earned his 11th victory of the season, but Memphis took the doubles point and three singles matches to edge the men's tennis team Monday at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

The Jaguars, ranked No. 71 in the nation, fell to 8-7 overall, but the 73rd-ranked Tigers improved to 9-6 in their spring season.

"It was a very tough match for us today," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "It was a little disappointing, but it was a great battle. We had a lot of three-set matches. Memphis is a great team."

Leitner, ranked No. 75, picked up his third win over a ranked opponent when he downed 56th-ranked Connor Glennon 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 1 spot. Leitner's win came after Memphis took the doubles point, making the score 1-1.

"Daniel played great at No. 1," said Brochu. "He beat an amazing, ranked player. That's going to help his ranking."

Memphis' 54th-ranked Andrew Watson defeated senior Manuel Belda (Posadas, Misiones, Argentina) 6-3, 6-1 on the No. 3 court, and junior Gerhard Gruindelingh (Pretoria, South Africa) fell 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to Kai Lemke in the No. 4 flight.

Ryan Peniston outlasted junior Tim Srkala (Brno, Czech Republic) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2 to clinch the match for the Tigers.

"It was great to see that even though we were down on some courts and lost the first set, we came back and won the second set," said Brochu. "We had four matches going into three sets today, so that was a great battle. It hurts when you lose in three sets because you were so close."

In doubles action, junior Juan Troglia (Mendoza, Argentina) and sophomore Tuki Jacobs (Windhoek, Namibia) lost 6-4 to Peniston and Shakeel Manji at the No. 3 flight, while Watson and Louis Asser defeated Srkala and Belda 7-5 at No. 2.

"Memphis is known for being really good in doubles," said Brochu. "That would have been a great point for us since it was their strength. That was kind of hard for us to swallow."

South Alabama is back in action March 27-29 at the Middle Tennessee Shootout in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

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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