Boxscore
 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida women's tennis saw its winning streak come to an end with a 4-2 loss to South Alabama Saturday at the UNF Tennis Complex.
 
"We fought very hard today and unfortunately, came up just short," said head coach Audra Cohen. "We didn't play our best for the first half of the match. When we started to play better tennis, it was too late. I am proud of our effort and we are excited to start our conference season knowing what we need to do to get better."
 
UNF won the first doubles match, but South Alabama took the last two matches with 8-6 scores in order to win doubles point. Quetzali Vazquez and Michelle Valdez powered past Monica Mitta and Paula Sanchez 8-3 at No. 3 doubles. No. 80 Laura Valkova and Emily Newton edged out Taylor Hollander and Esther Zuniga 8-6 on the No. 1 court for the Jaguars' first doubles win. Then Mary Angela Martin and Michaela Meszarosova's 8-6 victory over Luise Intert and Rebeca Pereira at No. 2 doubles clinched the doubles point.
 
In singles, Esther Zuniga's win on the No. 2 court evened the match at 1-1. Zuniga posted a dominating 6-0, 6-1 win over Newton. However, South Alabama gained a 2-1 lead after Valkova defeated Hollander 6-2, 6-4 at No. 1 singles.
 
Michelle Valdez came back with a three-set victory at No. 3 singles, tying the match at 2-2. After dropping the first set 6-3 to Mitta, Valdez rallied to take the last two sets 6-2, 6-0. However, Meszarosova won at No. 4 singles 6-3, 5-5 after Vazquez retired. South Alabama won the match with Martin's 7-5, 6-1 victory against Intert at No. 6 singles.
 
UNF returns to action on Thursday when the Ospreys open Atlantic Sun play at Lipscomb. Match time is set for 11 a.m., EST.
 
Match Results
South Alabama 4, North Florida 2
Singles Competition:
No. 1 – Laura Valkova (USA) def. Taylor Hollander (UNF) 6-2, 6-4
No. 2 – Esther Zuniga (UNF) def. Emily Newton (USA) 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 – Michelle Valdez (UNF) def. Monica Mitta (USA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-0
No. 4 – Michaela Meszarosova (USA) def. Quetzali Vazquez (UNF) 6-3, 5-5, retired
No. 5 – Rebeca Pereira (UNF) vs. Laura Matuskova (USA) 4-6, 6-4, unfinished
No. 6 – Mary Angela Martin (USA) def. Luise Intert (UNF) 7-5, 6-1
 
Doubles Competition:
No. 1 - #80 Laura Valkova/Emily Newton (USA) def. Taylor Hollander/Esther Zuniga (UNF) 8-6
No. 2 – Mary Angela Martin/Michaela Meszarosova (USA) def. Luise Intert/Rebeca Pereira (UNF) 8-6
No. 3 – Quetzali Vazquez/Michelle Valdez (UNF) def. Monica Mitta/Paula Sanchez (USA) 8-3
 
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 1, 2); Singles (2, 1, 3, 4, 6)