MOBILE, Ala. – Currently ranked No. 73, the University of South Alabama women's tennis team open their spring season against South Carolina at 10 a.m. at the Carolina Tennis Center in Columbia, S.C. on Sunday. The Jaguars then face Furman on Sunday at 10 a.m. in Greenville, S.C. at the Mickel Tennis Center.

South Alabama is 0-1 all-time against the Gamecocks, with their last meeting being in 1987. In 2002, USA claimed a victory and stands 1-0 versus Furman.

"We don't know too much about South Carolina or Furman. With that said, at this time of the year, we can't really worry about anyone else," said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. "We just have to control what we can control, and as the season progresses, we'll do a lot more scouting. As of now, we'll just control what we can control on our side of the net."

In the fall, freshman Alexandria Stiteler (Bradenton, Fla.) led the Jaguars 10-2 in singles play with her first eight matches as wins. Laura Volkova (Piestany, Slovakia), a junior, won five out of her first six matches to obtain a 7-5 record overall in singles and 6-4 in doubles.  

"They had great fall seasons, but it's the same as always," commented Keyser. "It's nice to be competitive at the top of the lineup, but in order for us to be successful, we're going to need everyone to play at the maximum of their capabilities. For us, it's based on depth, and if we get everyone to contribute, we'll be a good team."

USC is ranked No. 28 by the ITA. The Jaguars will face two ranked freshmen on the Gamecocks' squad: Paige Cline at No. 43 who finished 8-3 overall in singles and No. 54 Ingrid Gamarra Martins with a 9-2 record.

Furman posted a 9-14 record in 2015, but won five of their last seven matches. Junior Ansley Speaks led the Paladins with a 14-7 record in singles.  

"One of the things we wanted to do this year, early on, is beef up the schedule a little bit, and basically be comfortable with being uncomfortable," Keyser said. "As good of a season as we had last year, we didn't see the quality of competition during the regular season that we saw in the postseason. It's just one of those progressions we're trying to make and test ourselves on a daily basis.

"I'm excited to get things going. It's going to be a test right from the beginning, but it's an experienced team and we want to be tested all season long in order to prepare ourselves for postseason play."

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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