Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Kennesaw State men's tennis team dropped their Atlantic Sun Conference opener today to the No. 73-ranked USC Upstate Spartans,  6-1, at the Upstate Tennis Complex.

The Owls (3-5, 0-1 A-Sun) lost to the Spartans (2-3, 1-0 A-Sun) by the same score for the second consecutive year, falling in their only previous meeting with Upstate.

Kennesaw State had chances at the No. 2 slot in doubles, as the team of Simon Janik and Michael Langel fought back from a 6-1 deficit to take their match into a tiebreaker, before falling 8-7 (1).  The other doubles matches were more routine, with the Owls unable to match the power and experience of the Spartans.

In singles, the Owls got off to a promising start, with Janik and freshman Gokalp Ozdemir both taking the first sets of their matches at No. 2 and No. 4, respectively.  Unfortunately, the Spartans proved too strong in the other four positions, as they raced to straight-set wins to seal the match.

Janik was pushed to a third set tiebreaker, falling 11-9 in the decider to Spartan senior Renzo Airaldi.  Ozdemir was able to get the Owls on the board after he finished his match off in straight sets over fellow freshman Gary Goudsmet, 6-4, 7-6 (5). 

"Overall, we played a decent match," commented head coach T.J. Greggs.  "USC Upstate is one of the best teams in the conference, and we knew today was going to be tough.  I am very proud of Gokalp for pulling out his match, and Simon played very well in singles and doubles today.  Everyone on our team fought their hardest today.  We just played a better team with players who have a lot more experience."

The Owls return to the court on Saturday against North Carolina Central University at noon.  The match will be the home opener for the Owls, and will take place at the KSU Tennis Center.  Parking for fans is available in the East Parking Deck.

[73] USC Upstate 4, Kennesaw State 3
Upstate Tennis Complex | Spartanburg, S.C.

Singles:
No. 1 Edgar Rodriguez (Upstate) d. Tyler Mills (KSU) 6-1, 6-2
No. 2 Renzo Airaldi (Upstate) d. Simon Janik (KSU) 6-7 (5), 6-2, 1-0 (9)
No. 3 Javier Tori (Upstate) d. Michael Langel (KSU) 6-0, 6-3
No. 4 Gokalp Ozdemir (KSU) d. Gary Goudsmet (Upstate) 6-4, 7-6 (5)
No. 5 Jack Roux (Upstate) d. Elliot Kahler (KSU) 6-2, 6-2
No. 6 Ramiro Blanco (Upstate) d. Ryan Bouttell (KSU) 6-2, 6-0
Exhibition: Gianni Kubin (KSU) d. Ignacio Velez (Upstate) 8-3

Doubles:
No. 1 Airaldi/Tori (Upstate) d. Mills/Kahler (KSU), 8-2
No. 2 Roux/Goudsmet (Upstate) d. Janik/Langel (KSU), 8-7 (1)
No. 3 Rodriguez/Blanco (Upstate) d. Justin Suesserman/Ozdemir (KSU), 8-1