MOBILE, Ala. – Coming off an undefeated three-match homestand, the University of South Alabama women's tennis team will head to Birmingham, Ala. to face Samford and UAB this weekend.

The Jaguars will take on Samford on Saturday at 11 a.m. and UAB on Sunday at noon.

"It was a good weekend getting all of those matches in," USA head coach Jaco Keyser said. "I thought we did some good stuff. We'll have a bump up in competition this weekend. We've had some good battles with Samford and UAB the last couple of years, so it will be a good test."

South Alabama enters the weekend on a three-match win streak after dropping just two points in victories over Xavier (La.) and Louisiana-Lafayette – both by 6-1 scores – and Nicholls State (7-0).

"The things we've been working on in practice showed up in the matches," Keyser stated. "Whenever we can have that, it's a good sign."

The Jags went 16-2 in singles last weekend, including 9-0 at the bottom three spots of the lineup. Sophomores Patricia Martins (Lisbon, Portugal) and Alina Zolotareva (Barnaul, Russia) both went 3-0, with Zolotareva dropping just one game total.

"It's a good thing when the bottom of the lineup is playing well," Keyser said. "They're good players and put in hard work, so they deserve to play good tennis."

The rivalries with the two schools dates back to the late 1970s and early 80s, with the Jaguars holding a combined 37-2 record against this weekend's opponents, including 27-0 vs. UAB. Despite the lopsided record, the Blazers have been competitive in the last three meetings, taking at least two points in each match.

Samford has won three in a row after falling in its season opener. The Bulldogs lost 7-0 at Auburn, then reeled off back-to-back shutout victories over Kennesaw State and Alabama-Huntsville, and a 5-2 win over Louisiana Tech on Sunday.

UAB currently holds a 1-4 record, but has losses to Alabama and nationally-ranked Mississippi State. The Blazers' most recent defeat came in their home opener to La Tech.

"Every year they're both very competitive," Keyser said. "Like I said, we've had some great battles with them over the years so I'm expecting some good matches."

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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