JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The South Alabama women's team ended their fall season at the inaugural UNF Invitational, hosted by the University of North Florida on Saturday. The team was hopeful about their chances in the day's doubles competition.
The Lady Jags doubles team of Sylvanie Spangenberg and Jelena Krivacevic, the No.1 seed in Flight "A", faced off against the South Carolina State duo of Mirian Cruz and Marcela Rodezno. The Lady Bulldogs bit the Jags, 8-3, to move on to the semifinal round.
In late Friday consolation round action, Spangenberg battled for three sets before giving way to Bethune-Cookman's Kiara Powell. The 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 results brings the Lady Jag sophomore's fall record to 8-2 this year.
Senior Dijana Stanic was also downed in the second chance draw Friday evening. Georgia Southern's Molly Maddox took down the Bosnia native, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Stanic's fall tally ends with six wins on four defeats.
"I think we can learn a lot from this weekend," head coach Jaco Keyser said, "This was a tough tournament to play in, but this is what the fall season is for; to learn what we do well and what needs work so we can be better in the spring."
DAY ONE RECAP
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Closing out the fall season, the Lady Jags tennis team garnered mix results at the UNF Invitational, hosted by the University of North Florida on Friday. Three South Alabama athletes competed in the top draw of singles competition and, in doubles, a pair of Jaguars hoped to hold serve as the No. 1 seed in the tournament.
Junior Jelena Krivacevic, the No. 6 seed in Flight "A", found a way to win a thrilling three-set tussle with Georgia-Southern's Kristi Kegerreis. The native of Hungary won a tiebreak to a take the first set 7-6, but then dropped the second, 1-6. She rallied to win the decider, 7-5, and moved on to the Round of 16.
Krivacevic's second round opponent was Nataly Tumsevica of St. John's, who was 7-6, 6-3 winner over Vanessa Sanchez of the host team Ospreys earlier in the day. After taking the first set, Krivacevic was turned away by Tumsevica, 5-7, 6-4, 6-0, ending her singles competition.
Facing the No.5-seeded Dziyana Nazaruk of Armstrong Atlantic, sophomore Sylvanie Spangenberg was ousted in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0. Spangenberg will play in the consolation round against an opponent to be determined.
Senior Dijana Stanic also lost her opening round match in straights, 6-2, 6-4, to Marcela Rodezno of South Carolina State. Stanic's consolation round opponent will be determined.
In Flight "A" doubles action, Spangenberg and Krivacevic defeated Florida's Chelsi DeCuba and Leigh Ann Moss, 8-2. The No. 1 seed in the tourney advance to tomorrow's quarterfinals where S.C. State's duo of Rodezno and Mirian Cruz lie in wait. They were 9-7 winners over Jacksonville's Tatiana Soldatova and Emese Sulyos. The Lady Jag/Lady Bulldog match is set for 8 a.m.
Stanic, initially teamed with Shari Dillet, of Florida Community College Jacksonville, did not compete in doubles.
