MACON, Ga. – The University of South Alabama men's tennis team opened play Friday at the Gridiron Classic held at the Randy Stephens Tennis Courts. The Jaguars picked up three victories each in doubles and singles action with Clément Marzol and Julien Evrard each recording a doubles and a singles win on the day.

MATCH INFORMATION
Tournament Name: Gridiron Classic
Opponent: Mercer
Dates: 10/2
Place: Randy Stephens Tennis Courts (Macon, Ga.)

DOUBLES
- Pascal Wagemaker/Carter French (Georgia Southern) def. Julien Evrard/Sébastien Collard (USA) 8-4
- Clément Marzol/Martin Bugaj (USA) def. Jonathan Morales/Valentin Dun(Georgia Southern) 8-3
- Carlos Garcia/Jaap Aaldering (Georgia Southern) def. Jordan Coutinho/Ezra Blissard (USA) 8-4
- Marzol/Bugaj (USA) def. Wagemaker/French (Georgia Southern) 8-5
- Evrard/Collard (USA) def. Morales/Dun (Georgia Southern) 8-1
- Coutinho/Blissard (USA) def. Carlos Garcia/Chase Arevalo (Georgia Southern) 8-6
-  Lucas Wayneburg/Danny Flynn (Mercer) def. Phillip Bosman (South Alabama)/Chase Parker (UAB) 8-1

SINGLES
- Marzol (South Alabama) def. Hugo Lobo (Mercer) 6-3, 6-4
- Evrard (South Alabama) def. Carver Arant (Mercer) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
- Collard (South Alabama) def. Samuel Macleod (Mercer) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
- Samuel Barrow (Mercer) def. Bugaj (South Alabama) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
- Flynn (Mercer) def. Bosman (South Alabama) 6-4, 6-4
- Andrew Branicki (Mercer) def. Coutinho (South Alabama) 2-6, 6-1, 6-2
- David Georgadze (Mercer) def. Blissard (South Alabama) 6-3, 6-3

Notes
- Clement recorded his 102nd doubles match of his career.
- Evrard posted his first singles win with the Jaguars against defeating Mercer's Arant in three sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-3).
- The doubles team of Marzol and Bugaj defeated Georgia Southern's duo of Wagemaker and French, 8-5 for their first win of the fall.
- Marzol, Evrard and Collard were the lone Jaguars to pick up both a singles and a double victory for South.

UP NEXT 
- South Alabama will continue play at the Gridiron Classic, on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. (CT) at the Randy Stephens Tennis Courts.

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Nick Brochu
- On the loss: "It is disappointing, but it is the first tournament of the year. The key today was to play with the energy we want to see in the spring. We missed a few targets in the first round of doubles, but overall, we still competed hard. We had to talk about how our fundamentals, goals, and strategies can reflect the score. This is why we play in the fall so we can go back home and work on those things to better prepare us for the spring. The more you play, the better you get."
- Moving forward: "Today, we were focused on the process and not the results. In the process, we were able to focus a little better. It caused us to deliver the ball to the right target at the right time and we ended up coming out on top. It felt amazing to be on the courts again after a long break. We're going to have a meeting tonight about playing better tomorrow and improving our focus for better results."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. 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