MOBILE, Ala. – Coming off three home victories, the No. 71 University of South Alabama men's tennis team will finish their six-match home stand this weekend with three matches at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

The Jaguars will play Southern Miss on Saturday at 11:30 a.m., and Nicholls State at 9:30 a.m. and Mercer at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

"Last weekend we played so well, but we don't want to feel comfortable," USA head coach Nick Brochu said.

The Jaguars defeated Jackson State 7-0, Jacksonville State 6-1, and Stetson 4-1 at home last weekend to extend their five-match win streak. Junior Tuki Jacobs (Windhoek, Namibia) and senior Tim Srkala (Brno, Czech Republic) each went 3-0 at the top two spots in the singles lineup.

"I was really happy with the way we played on Sunday, but especially the way we were acting on the court," said Brochu. "We were loud, we were pumped, and even when we were down in a little streak, we always stayed positive and cheered each other up. The energy was awesome, and that's what we want."

USA will face off against Southern Miss for the fifth straight year and 10th time overall on Saturday.

"Southern Miss is always a big rival," said Brochu. "They're not too far, and we play them every year."

The Jaguars have an overall record of 9-1 against the Golden Eagles, and have won the last three meetings between the two teams. South Alabama defeated Southern Miss 4-3 and 5-2 during the previous season in Murfreesboro, Tenn. and Hattiesburg, Miss., respectively.

"Last year was a little closer than we thought, but we were on top," Brochu said. "We've been winning most of the rivalry, but they're never to be taken lightly. They have some new players again that are playing at the top six, so it's going to be a great battle."

Last year, USM earned a record of 15-9 overall and 7-4 on the road. Southern Miss opened the spring season with three straight wins before dropping their last two matches to George Washington and Lamar at home.

"Southern Miss is very talented top to bottom, but we are capable of winning every single position, and every single position will be a fight," Brochu said.

Sunday's first match marks the seventh consecutive year South Alabama and Nicholls State will have met. Overall, the Jaguars have a 6-1 record against the Colonels, including winning the last five matches. Last spring, USA won 5-2 over NSU at home. The Colonels posted a 9-10 record last spring and have a 1-0 record on the year, with their only match a 4-1 victory at home against Jackson State.

To close the weekend, the Jaguars square off against Mercer for the second time in school history. When the two teams met in 2014, South Alabama defeated Mercer 6-1 at home. The Bears defeated Clemson earlier in the season, but lost three straight matches to give them a 1-4 record for the season. Mercer put up a 12-13 record last season, with a 4-10 record on the road.

"On Sunday, we're favorites on both matches, but Mercer cannot be taken lightly because earlier in the season they beat Clemson, so we're going to have to be sharp and be strong like last weekend," said Brochu.

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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