Florida State Results
Florida A&M Results

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The No. 73 University of South Alabama men's tennis team split their first two matches of the season at the Scott Speicher Tennis Center in Tallahassee on Saturday.

The Jaguars defeated Florida A&M 5-1 in the afternoon after dropping a 7-0 decision to No. 31 Florida State earlier in the day.

USA won the first three matches in straight sets to clinch the victory against Florida A&M. Tim Srkala won against Karlyn Small 6-2, 6-4 at No. 1 followed by Lucas Gonzales defeating Hema Hasona 6-4, 6-2 at No. 6.

Next, Pierre Noyon beat Walner Espinoza 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) at No. 3, and Gerhard Gruindelingh came back against Carlos Agustin Waitman 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 to clinch the match.

At No. 2, Juan Troglia fell to Courage Okungbowa 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), but Oliver Gringas outlasted Illya Skoromnyy 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

"Our goal was to serve hard and be focused on big points," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "I think the guys reacted well and delivered. We were more vocal and we had the momentum from beginning to the end of the match."

In the morning, FSU lost three games to claim the doubles point and won all six singles matches in straight sets.

"This morning was hard for some guys," said Brochu. "They couldn't find their rhythm and were never able to recover and catch up with FSU."

FSU's sweep began with Aziz Dougaz and Michael Rinaldi defeating Jacobs and Noyon 6-0 at No. 3 in doubles, followed by Benjamin Lock and Marco Nunez over Gruindelingh and Gingras 6-3 at No. 1.

In singles, Gruindelingh fell to Jose Gracia 6-1, 6-2 at No. 5 followed by Srkala losing 6-1, 6-3 against No. 15 Lock at No. 1.

Troglia lost to No. 77 Nunez 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3, Noyon came up short against Dougaz 7-5, 6-3 at No. 4, and Gonzalez fell to Terrance Whitehurst 6-2, 6-1 at No. 6. Finally, Jacobs kept it close before losing to Rinaldi 6-3, 7-5 at No. 2.

"Some guys played well and competed so hard," said Brochu. "Tuki was the last one done and took his opponent to the limit. I was very happy the way Pierre played his first collegiate match. He showed a lot of heart and his level of play was high."

The Jaguars return to action Sunday at 9 a.m. against Florida Gulf Coast.

"Tomorrow's match will be very competitive," Brochu said. "FGCU will be loud and will fight till the end. We need to match their intensity and serve well."

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—