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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Head coach T.J. Greggs and the Owls men’s tennis team upped their season record to 3-4 with two strong victories today in Alabama.

The Owls first took out the host Alabama State Hornets by a 6-1 margin.  The Owls (3-4) were tested early by the Hornets, but were able to pull out all but one of the matches contested.  In the most exciting match of the day, Owl No. 1 Tyler Mills fell in three sets to the Hornets' Denys Alyksyeyeu 0-6, 6-4, 1-0(4). 

“Alabama State is a much-improved team this season,” commented Greggs. “Coach (Bernard) Sewell did a nice job of preparing his team today, and I am very pleased we were able to pick up the victory over a very determined team.”

The Owls started off by picking up the doubles point after victories by Michael Langel and Simon Janik at the No. 2 position, winning in an 8-0 shutout.  Soon after, Elliot Kahler and Gokalp Ozdemir clinched the doubles point with an 8-3 victory over their Hornet opponents.  The final doubles match was decided in a tiebreak after the teams played to a 7-7 deadlock.  The Owls duo of Tyler Mills and Justin Suesserman were able to pull out the tiebreaker 7-5 for the clean sweep in doubles.

The Owls went on to win 5 of the 6 singles flights in straight sets, resulting in the final 6-1 count.

Following that victory, the Owls then took on Alabama A&M at the same tennis center, handing the Bulldogs a 7-0 defeat.  The Bulldogs (0-2) were without the services of one of their players, so the teams did not play No. 3 doubles or No. 6 singles.  The Owls dominated the match throughout, as they picked up victories in all matches that were played.  Leading the way for the Owls was Mills, who picked up the victory at No. 1 singles for the Owls, downing Desta Sandy 6-4, 6-3.

The Owls will hit the road once more on Friday, February 19 when they take on #72 USC-Upstate in the Atlantic Sun opener for both teams.  

“Hopefully this weekend got us on the right track,” added Greggs.  “We needed a boost of confidence heading into conference season, and I am looking forward to fighting for a place in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.”

Results:
KSU 6, Alabama State 1
Doubles:
1) Tyler Mills/Justin Suesserman (KSU) def. Alyksyeyeu/Pierre (ASU) 8-7(5)
2) Michael Langel/Simon Janik (KSU) def. Frazier/Deleston (ASU) 8-0
3) Gokalp Ozdemir/Elliot Kahler (KSU) def. Donaldson/Ivory (ASU) 8-3

Singles:
1) Denys Alyksyeyeu (ASU) def. Tyler Mills (KSU) 0-6, 6-4, 1-0(4)
2) Simon Janik (KSU) def. Clifford Frazier (ASU) 6-0, 6-0
3) Michael Langel (KSU) def. Lex Pierre (ASU) 6-4, 6-0
4) Gianni Kubin (KSU) def. Joshua Donaldson (ASU) 7-5, 6-2
5) Gokalp Ozdemir (KSU) def. Roddrick Ivory (ASU) 6-0, 6-1
6) Ryan Bouttell (KSU) def. Lance Deleston (ASU) 6-0, 6-0

KSU 7, Alabama A&M 0
Doubles:
1) Tyler Mills/Elliot Kahler (KSU) def. Sandy/Burger (AAMU) 8-2
2) Gokalp Ozdemir/Justin Suesserman (KSU) def. Singleton/Walker (AAMU) 8-0
3) KSU won by default

Singles:
1) Tyler Mills (KSU) def. Desta Sandy (AAMU) 6-4, 6-3
2) Simon Janik (KSU) def. Nicholas Burger (AAMU) 6-0, 6-4
3) Michael Langel (KSU) def. Stevon Walker (AAMU) 6-1, 6-2
4) Gianni Kubin (KSU) def. Johnnie Singleton (AAMU) 6-1, 6-1
5) Ryan Bouttell (KSU) def. Anthony Pickard II (AAMU) 6-0, 6-0
6) KSU won by default