Results
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women's tennis team went 3-1 in three-set matches to defeat Alabama-Birmingham 6-1 Sunday afternoon at the Samford Tennis Complex.
The Jaguars increase their win streak to five after a season-opening loss, while the Blazers drop their sixth straight and fall to 1-6.
"That was a tough, physical battle today," USA head coach
Jaco Keyser said. "It's always tough going indoors but in order to become a complete team, we have to be able to compete indoors when needed.
"I thought we competed at a very high level and we also have plenty of reference points – both good and bad – for this week's practice."
After winning the doubles point, the Jags picked up a two-set win from senior
Laura Valkova (Piestany, Slovakia) – 6-3, 7-6 – at No. 3 to go up 2-0, but needed to go the distance in the next two matches to clinch the victory.
Sophomore
Alexandria Stiteler (Bradenton, Fla.) rallied from a first-set loss to defeat No. 88
Pardis Kianoush 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 on court 1, and senior
Monica Mitta (Fairhope, Ala.) downed
Marlene Herrman 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 at No. 2 to pick up the victory.
"It's great to see Alex pick up a win over a top-100 opponent," Keyser said. "She's worked really hard in practice and it's good to see that hard work pay off for her."
Senior
Laura Matuskova (Bratislava, Slovakia) won 5-7, 6-2, (10-6) at No. 4, and sophomore
Alina Zolotareva (Barnaul, Russia) dropped just three games in a 6-2, 6-1 victory over
Natalie Voss on court 6.
UAB's lone point came on court 5 from
Sophie Doss, who defeated sophomore
Patricia Martins (Lisbon, Portugal) 4-6, 6-1, (10-6).
In doubles, Mitta and Matuskova blanked Dodds and Voss on court 3, and after UAB pulled even with a 6-2 win at No. 2, Martins and Valkova gave the Jags the 1-0 lead after a 6-4 victory on court 1.
South Alabama will start a run of four matches in four days with a home doubleheader Thursday against Jacksonville State (10 a.m.) and Jackson State (3 p.m.).
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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