STARKVILLE, Miss. – The University of South Alabama men's tennis team fell 5-2 to Mississippi State Saturday afternoon at the Rula Tennis Pavilion.

The Jaguars fell behind after conceding the doubles point, but battled in singles action as Clément Marzol tied the score 1-1 after defeating Mississippi State's Nemanja Malesevic (6-3, 6-3) on court three.

MISSISSIPPI STATE 5, SOUTH ALABAMA 2
Date: 2/13
Place: Rula Tennis Pavilion (Starkville, Miss.)
Records: USA (1-3), MS (8-1)  

DOUBLES
1. Alberto Colas / Giovanni Oradini (MS) vs. #52 Loic Cloes / Clément Marzol (USA) 4-5, unfinished
2. Nemanja Malesevic / Davide Tortora (MS) def. Sebastien Collard / Julien Evrard (USA) 6-3
3. Florian Broska / Gregor Ramskogler (MS) def. Jordan Coutinho / Leon Pet'ko (USA) 6-1 
Order of Finish: (3,2)

SINGLES
1. Evrard (USA) def. #36 Giovanni Oradini (MS) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
2. #87 Florian Broska (MS) def. Cloes (USA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
3. Marzol (USA) def. Malesevic (MS) 6-3, 6-3
4. Colas (MS) def. Collard (USA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
5. Carles Hernandez (MS) def. Martin Bugaj (USA) 6-4, 6-2
6. Tortora (MS) def. Coutinho (USA) 6-3, 6-3
Order of Finish: (3,6,5,4,1,2)

NOTES
- Evrard recorded his 10th singles victory of the season against No. 36 Giovanni Oradini, improving his record to 10-3 overall and 3-0 at No.1.
- Marzol dominated on court three as he claimed a victory against Bulldog Malesevic in two sets (6-3, 6-3).
- Three of the six singles matches were decided in straight sets.
- Mississippi State extended its win streak to five matches in the all-time series.
- The Bulldogs improved to 8-1, while the Jaguars fell 1-3.

UP NEXT
- South Alabama will return to action to host a doubleheader against West Alabama on Feb. 17, with doubles play beginning at 10 a.m. at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

THEY SAID IT 
Head Coach Nick Brochu
- On today's performance: "It was a great match, and we played high-level tennis today. I'm very pleased with the way that our team competed. With teams such as Mississippi State, you have to maintain a high level of competitiveness, and most of us did that today. We had our chances, so yes, of course, we were a little disappointed. We were better at numbers one and two in doubles, but people are beginning to realize how strong we are in doubles. As we were going into singles, our goals were to master high energy and use the energy to the end. Regardless of what happens, you have to stay focused, keep working hard and go after it. Overall, we did a great job, and people can see that we're close to Mississippi State. We won at No. 1 and No. 3, and then we went into three sets at No. 2 and No. 4. We pushed them to the limit, and we were so close to turning it all around and winning. Mississippi State is a very great team and is very well-coached, so we will take this experience and turn it into a positive one."

- Moving forward: "We are going to use today's match as an example of maintaining the level of competitiveness throughout the rest of the season. Even though next week might be a little easier, we are still going to put in the same amount of effort and maintain the high level of competitiveness and energy and keep going."

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