Results

TROY, Ala. – University of South Alabama senior Juan Troglia (Mendoza, Argentina) rallied to win a three-set match to give the men's tennis team a 4-3 victory over Troy in their regular-season finale  Sunday at the Lunsford Tennis Complex. 

Troglia sealed the victory after coming back 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) over Giovani Samaha. With the win, the Jags improved to 13-11, while the Trojans dropped to 14-12.

"This was a great win to end our regular season," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "I'm so proud of Juan for coming back from behind and stepping up to clinch the win on his last regular-season match for his college career. This win gives us a good mental boost going to the conference championship."

After dropping the doubles point, USA took two quick singles points to go up 2-1. At No. 1, junior Tuki Jacobs (Windhoek, Namibia) dropped Daniel Bustamante 6-1, 6-1, and senior Gerhard Gruindelingh (Pretoria, South Africa) bested Mustapha Belcora 6-3, 6-3 on court No. 5. 

"Gerhard gave us a decisive win at No. 5, and I'm glad he is back in the lineup," Brochu said. "Tuki proved again that he is one of the best players in the conference."

Pablo Moreno defeated senior Tim Srkala (Brno, Czech Republic) 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 2 court to tie it at 2-2. Freshman Lucas Gonzalez (Chateauroux, France) put the Jags up 3-2 with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) win over Hassan Ndayishimiye at No. 6, but Andy Lau won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 over sophomore Oliver Gingras (Quebec City, Canada) on court No. 4. 

"We put the pressure on them by winning an important match at No. 6 to go up 3-2, but Troy fought back hard and took the lead in the last two matches," said Brochu. "Juan found himself down 3-0 in the final set but we knew he could come back."

Troglia sealed the victory for South Alabama at No. 3 after going down 3-0 in the third set and saving three match points down 5-4.. 

"I'm so proud of him," Brochu said. "To fight for three hours and clinch the win for your team is the best feeling."

In doubles, Lau and Moreno defeated Gruindelingh and Gingras 6-3 on the No. 1 court, but Jacobs and junior Dallas Teague (Spanish Fort, Ala.) topped Ndayishimiye and Samaha 6-4 on court No. 3 to tie it 1-1. At No. 2, Vaclav Slezak and Andre Baldo won 7-6 (7-5) over Srkala and Troglia to take the doubles point for Troy. 

"That doubles point should have been ours," said Brochu. "We need to close our sets and matches when we have the chance."

The Jaguars return to the court Friday, April 22 as they compete in the Sun Belt Conference Championships.

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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