MOBILE, Ala. – After dropping two road matches, the University of South Alabama men's tennis team will host Samford Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

The Jaguars are going into Thursday with a record of 7-4 overall and 5-1 at home.

"Samford is a young and energetic team," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "The first four games of the match on every court will be very important, and that's going to set the tone. So, if we are capable of going up at break, I think we're going to be in a pretty good position."

Last weekend, USA went 0-2 on the road, falling 6-1 to Utah and 4-2 to Utah State.

"When we were in Utah, both matches, we lost the doubles point," Brochu said. "We were close but lost it, and even if it's only one point, you always start from behind. So, mentally it's tough. Doubles is going to be very important."

Thursday marks the first time the two teams will square off in regular season play since 2003, when South Alabama defeated Samford 6-1 in Mobile.

"We saw Samford in the fall," said Brochu. "We won four out of five matches in singles. I thought we did really well, and we've got to go in there with the same intensity because Samford can be a very dangerous team if they get confidence."

The Bulldogs are presently 3-2 overall and 0-2 on the road, with their only losses being to No. 25 Mississippi State and No. 17 Alabama.

"We want to make sure that we don't take them lightly," Brochu said. "Mentally, it's always important to beat who you are supposed to beat, and tomorrow is going to be a good indication of if we are a solid and reliable team. If we do what we are supposed to do and execute at the right time, it is going to show to everybody we are solid and can take care of business."

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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