HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Extending their win streak to eight matches, the University of South Alabama women's tennis team won over Southern Miss 5-2 at the USM Tennis Courts on Saturday.

Ranked No. 43, USA improved their overall spring record to 18-4, while Southern Miss is now 15-3.

"Good, solid win today. We are becoming extremely match tough in my opinion," USA head coach Jaco Keyser said. "Matches like today are great reference points as we prepare in the next three weeks for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament and the postseason."  

Freshman Alina Zolotareva (Barnaul, Russia) and junior Monica Mitta (Fairhope, Ala.) paired up to defeat Tjasa Jerse and Elena Roca of Southern Miss. 6-0 to start doubles play. Senior Cinta Maria Papke (Flein, Germany) and freshman Alexandria Stiteler (Bradenton, Fla.) clinched the doubles point with a 6-1 win over Claudia Castella and Rikeetha Pereira.

"There are always areas we can improve on from an execution standpoint, but I really think we are getting the mental toughness of a very good team," Keyser said.

Singles action featured junior Laura Valkova (Piestany, Slovakia) who won against Alex Kitchen 7-5, 6-2 on the No. 2 court. Jerse claimed Southern Miss' first point against Papke 6-4, 7-6 in the No. 4 spot.

The Jaguars answered with junior Laura Matuskova (Bratislavia, Slovakia) as she won over Castella 7-5, 6-3 on the No. 5 court. In the No. 3 spot, Mitta clinched the match for USA with a 6-4, 7-6 victory over Pereira.

Carolin Drescher edged Stiteler, ranked No. 65, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 on the No. 1 court to snap her 16-match win streak. With close 7-6, 7-5 sets, Zolotareva won against Roca in the No. 6 spot to earn South Alabama's fifth point of the match.
 
"I give credit to Southern Miss who threw everything at us including the kitchen sink in singles," Keyser commented.

USA women's tennis is back in action at Appalachian State on Friday.  

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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