MOBILE, Ala. – The first three individuals in the University of South Alabama women's tennis team's lineup forced a third set in the Jaguars' opening-round match against fifth-ranked Princeton at the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic before the Tigers were able to pull out a 4-1 win at the O'Connor Tennis Center on Friday.

Nikola Kohoutova picked up South's only point at the No. 3 position, with Cami Moreno falling in a third set on the No. 2 court and Yu Fujioka splitting the first two sets at No. 1 against the 17th-ranked player in the country.

#5 Princeton 4, South Alabama 1 (box score)

SINGLES
-The Tigers jumped in front early when Stephanie Schrage defeated Yurie Takanishi 6-2, 6-0 on the No. 4 court.
-Michelle Sorokko earned a 7-5, 6-1 win over Milka Pasanen at No. 6 while Clare McKee followed by beating Diana Monsalve 7-6, 6-3 at No. 5.
-Kohoutova kept the Jags alive after earning a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory at the No. 3 position over Grace Joyce.
-Zoe Howard, ranked 57th nationally entering the tournament, picked up a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 win over Moreno at No. 2 to clinch the match for the Tigers.

NOTES
-Princeton moved to 8-1 this season while the Jaguars are now 5-4.
-It was the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
-Kohoutova became the first Jag to get to 10 singles wins this year with her seventh victory in a row.
-Four of Moreno's five singles matches thus far this spring have gone to a third set.

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Jaco Keyser
On the opening match of the tournament: "That was a very encouraging performance today, we definitely took some steps forward with our quality of play and our competitive identity was exactly what we want for this program.  In the short term it's very frustrating that we did not get rewarded for a good effort, but in the long run I know if we can maintain and replicate — and even elevate — today's level then we will be tough to beat in the Sun Belt Conference.  We have a great opportunity tomorrow to see if we are disciplined and hungry enough as a team to keep the mental grind alive."

Up Next: USA faces Alabama in the consolation semifinals of the event, with play resuming at 9 a.m. (CST) at Lagoon Park.

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