Tallahassee, Fla. – The University of South Alabama men's tennis team swept Florida Atlantic 4-0 before falling to Florida State 4-3 at the Florida State Invitational Saturday. 

Against FAU in doubles, senior Juan Cruz Soria (San Juan, Argentina) and freshman Loic Cloes (Remicourt, Belgium) dropped Andrei Morin-Kougoucheff and Remi Chancerel 6-1 at the No. 1 court, and senior Pierre Noyon (Oye-Plage, France) and freshman Clement Marzol (Toulouse, France) bested Arthur Stefani and Stefan Burnett 6-4 at court No. 3 to secure the doubles point for the Jaguars. Senior Tuki Jacobs (Windhoek, Namibia), nationally ranked No. 91, and junior Oliver Gingras (Quebec City, Quebec, Canada) were up 5-4 against Anthony Schohn and Felipe Frias when doubles play concluded. 

"Doubles was great," said USA head coach Nick Brochu. "I was extremely pleased with the way our new No. 1 team played, especially since it was their first match together."

In singles, Cloes opened with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Ignacio Jimenez at No. 5 to put the Jags up 2-0. Marzol defeated Stefani 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 at the No. 4 spot, and Soria clinched the win for USA with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against Schohn. 

In unfinished play, Jacobs was up 5-7, 6-1, 2-1 against Kougoucheff at No.1, sophomore Lucas Gonzalez (Chateauroux, France) was down 5-7, 5-2 to Alexander Gitin at court No. 6, and Noyon trailed 6-2, 3-6, 1-3 against Frias at No. 3. 

"In singles, we struggled to keep the momentum going, but we stayed focused and kept working hard," Brochu said. "It shows that every guy can help win matches for the team, and it was a great start for the season.

In doubles against FSU, the Jaguars started off with a 6-2 win from Gingras and Jacobs over Jose Garcia and Lucas Poullain at No. 2. The Seminoles fought back when No. 56 Aziz Dougas and Guy Iradukunda defeated Cloes and Soria 6-4 at the No. 1 spot. Terrel Whitehurst and Terrance Whitehurst won 6-4 over Marzol and Noyon at No. 3 to take the doubles point for Florida State.

"It is frustrating since we had many opportunities to take a commanding lead, but at the same time, I'm impressed with the way we fought so hard today," said Brochu. 

In singles, FSU took a 3-0 lead when Poullain defeated Noyon 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3, and Terrance Whitehurst dropped Cloes 6-2, 6-2 at court No. 5. The Jaguars bounced back starting when Gingras bested Alex Knaff 7-5, 6-3 at the No. 6 spot. No. 91 Jacobs defeated No. 71 Dougaz 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 at No. 1, and Soria tied it up 3-3 with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over No. 59 Iradukunda at court No. 2. Garcia clinched the Seminoles victory by defeating Marzol 6-3, 3-6, 5-7 at No. 4.

"The loss today will be very hard to swallow," Brochu said. "It stings a lot to be that close to beating a great FSU team, but we need to learn from it. We showed so much heart, especially fighting for three long sets. We need to rest and get ready for another important match."

The Jaguars return to the court Sunday at 12:30 pm to take on Sun Belt foe Troy in the third place-match.

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).