NEW ORLEANS – The University of South Alabama women's tennis team defeated Georgia State 4-2 Saturday to advance to the finals of the Sun Belt Conference Championship.

This marks the 13th straight win for the Jaguars, as they improve to 21-4. Georgia State dropped to 13-9. With the win, USA will face Louisiana-Monroe in the finals Sunday at 10 a.m.

The Jags started doubles with a 6-2 win from senior Laura Matuskova (Bratislava, Slovakia) and sophomore Alina Zolotareva (Barnaul, Russia) over Anastasia Grosheva and Lara Vovk on court No. 3. Sophomore Patricia Martins (Lisbon, Portugal) and senior Laura Valkova (Piestany, Slovakia) clinched the doubles point by besting Kristin Rehse and Daniela Ramirez 7-6 (7-2) at No. 1.

"In hindsight that the doubles point was huge," said USA head coach Jaco Keyser. "It always is in matches like this. That really set the tone for singles."

In singles, senior Monica Mitta (Fairhope, Ala.) dropped Ramirez 6-0, 6-3 on court No. 3 to give USA a 2-0 lead. Matuskova fell to Damira Muminovic 6-4, 6-3 at No. 5, and Vovk tied it by defeating Zolotareva 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 on court No. 6.

"We started singles great," Keyser said. "I think there was some carryover from doubles, but Georgia State are the defending champs. That's one of the better matches we've been involved in this year, with plenty of momentum changes."

"All credit to the girls," said Keyser. "They just dug in and wanted to win today. You could see it, and you could feel it. They did a great job pulling us over the finish line."

At No. 2, Valkova won 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 against Arina Taluyenko, and Martins secured the victory for the Jaguars with a 7-5, 5-7, 6-2 win over Grosheva on court No. 4.

"That's huge for (Martins)," Keyser said. "She's a tennis junkie, loves tennis and works like crazy. For her to come through in situations like that is huge, because she is a work in progress and will keep on getting better over the years."

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).

Join the Baseline Club, the tennis-specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Baseline Club go directly to support the South Alabama men's and women's tennis programs. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/baselineclub

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