MOBILE, Ala. --- Holders of a 10-match winning streak, the University of South Alabama women’s tennis team faces either Arkansas State or UALR Friday in the first round of the Sun Belt Championships in Denton, Texas.
The Jaguars earned the No. 3 seed and will face the No. 6 Red Wolves or No. 11 Trojans at 3 p.m.
“Our curve is definitely going upwards,” said USA head coach
Jaco Keyser. “We have some momentum and confidence. If we use it the right way, I definitely feel confident about our chances.”
Sixteen-time champions, the Jags are looking for their first title since 2003. No. 1 seed Denver and No. 2 FIU have had a stranglehold in recent years, combining for the last five crowns.
“We just need a lucky break or two,” said Keyser. “We’ve had our chances ? last year we had some match points to make it to the final, the year before we lost a close one in the final to FIU. We feel like we’ve played good tennis this time of year and hopefully this year we’ll get a couple of lucky breaks.”
A win in the first round could mean a matchup with FIU, ranked No. 37 country.
“I really don’t think (the draw) matters,” said Keyser. “We play better tennis when we focus on ourselves and control what we can control ? how we come out, how hard we play and how competitive we are. When we do that, good things happen.”
With wins last weekend over ranked opponents VCU and Old Dominion, South Alabama has re-entered the national rankings at No. 47. It is the team’s highest ranking this season.
A big key in the Jags’ win streak has been doubles play. The team has won the doubles point in each of the last 10 outings and has lost just twice in 30 matches. The No. 1 team of
Michaela Babicova (Piestany, Slovakia) and
Sylvanie Spangenberg (Pretoria, South Africa) are 17-1 overall and on a 13-match winning streak.
“That doubles point gives you a lot of confidence,” said Keyser. “It takes off some of the pressure from singles play and gives you that initial momentum.”
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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