MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women's tennis team bested Xavier University of Louisiana 6-1 Saturday at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Courts for their first victory this season.

With the win, the Jaguars improved to 1-1, while the Gold Nuggets dropped to 1-1. 

"The fight was great," said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. "There was consistency throughout the match. There was a little drop in the level now and then, but it's early in the season, and we're trying to put together complete matches."

USA started off doubles with a 6-0 victory from sophomores Alexandria Stiteler (Bradenton, Fla.) and Alina Zolotareva (Barnaul, Russia) over Charlene Goreau and Brandi Nelson at No. 2. The Jags clinched the doubles point when senior Laura Valkova (Piestany, Slovakia) and sophomore Patricia Martins (Lisbon, Portugal) defeated Emma Kranendonk and Lacee Ancar 6-4 on court No. 1. Seniors Monica Mitta (Fairhope, Ala.) and Laura Matuskova (Bratislava, Slovakia) dropped Sha'Nel Bruins and Dasia Harris 6-3 at No. 3.

"We came out strong, and we executed," Keyser said. "When we do that, we play good doubles. Towards the end, we had a few breakdowns in our positioning, but overall, doubles was strong today."

In singles, the Jaguars jumped out to a 3-0 lead with wins at court Nos. 1 and 2. Valkova won 6-0, 6-1 over Kranendonk at No. 2, and Stiteler beat Goreau 6-2, 6-0 on court No. 1. Zolotareva secured the win for the Jags with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Harris on the No. 6 court. 

In other singles action, Martins defeated Ancar 6-1, 6-3 at No. 5, and Matuskova came back to beat Bruins 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 on court No. 4. Freshman Leslie Soto Bustamante (Santiago, Chile) fell to Nelson 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 at No. 3.

"Two of the girls lost the first set, but they stayed in it mentally," said Keyser. "They stayed the course, turned those matches around, and we won one of those matches. In order for us to be successful the rest of the season, we've got to be able to turn matches, and it's nice to see us digging into those matches and come back."

The Jaguars return to action Sunday at 10 a.m. to face Louisiana-Lafayette and Nicholls State at 2:30 p.m. at the Mobile Tennis Center.

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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