MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men’s tennis team will host a pair of mid-week matches against Austin Peay and No. 70 Illinois State.

The Jags are scheduled to face Austin Peay Wednesday at 2 p.m. and Illinois State Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

“It’s going to be good to have two matches at home because we’ve been traveling so much lately,” USA head coach Nick Brochu said. “We are just coming off of a good weekend, beating two teams, including the 2009 Sun Belt defending champion, Middle Tennessee. We’re really hoping for good weather so we can get these matches in before we go on spring break.”

This will be the Jags’ first meeting with the Govs of Austin Peay. South Alabama leads the all time series with Illinois State 1-0. USA has not taken on Illinois State since 1987 when the Jags defeated the Redbirds 7-1 at home.

South Alabama brings a 5-5 record into the matches. The Jaguars are coming off a 2-1 showing at the HEB Classic Tournament of Champions in Corpus Christi, Texas, including two wins over SBC competitors. USA edged Louisiana-Lafayette 4-3 followed by a 4-2 victory over Middle Tennessee.

The Jaguars’ top two singles performers, junior Lucas Viel and sophomore Romain Bocaert, are a combined 13-5 on the No. 1 and No. 2 courts. Sophomore Dauw Kruger is the holder of a six-match win streak, including five in straight sets, and boasts a 6-2 overall singles record.

The Govs stand at 2-2 overall and are coming off a 6-1 loss to Jacksonville State. The Redbirds’ (6-4) most recent match ended in defeat when they were blanked by Indiana 7-0.

Next on tap for the Jags is a trip to Fort Myers, Fla. for a rematch against Florida Gulf Coast at 1 p.m. on March 16.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251)461-1USA(1872).

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