BRISTOL, Tenn. - The Kennesaw State men's tennis team fell short in their upset bid today over the defending champion and preseason favorite ETSU Bucs by a score of 7-0 today.  The Owls got off to a promising start in the doubles, but were unable to match up with the No. 59 ranked team in the nation as they fell in all six singles contests.

In the doubles, the Owls continued to show marked improvement, pushing the Bucs (3-5, 0-1 A-Sun) in all three of the matches in the early going.  At No. 1 doubles, the ETSU team of Grega Teraz and J.C. Ramirez eventually wore down the Owl duo of Elliot Kahler and Tyler Mills, finishing off the Owls 8-4 after a seesaw affair for the first 8 games.  On the other two courts, the Owls were locked at 6 games apiece, with a chance to upset the Bucs.  The Owl No. 2 pairing of Simon Janik and Michael Langel were unable to break serve at 6-7, however, and fell 8-6 to Sander Gille and Jesus Bandres of ETSU, sealing the doubles point for the Owls.  At No. 3 doubles, however, the Owls broke the serve of Robin Akser/Daniel Isaza to take a 7-6 lead, and Justin Suesserman served out the match with the help of partner Gokalp Ozdemir to give the Owls the upset, 8-6.

"That was the best doubles we have played as a team in the two years we have had a tennis program," commented head Coach T.J. Greggs.  "All of the hard work we have been putting in on our net skills and return games is paying off."

The singles affair was a more definitive win for the defending champs, as the Owls (5-7, 0-3 A-Sun) were unable to garner a set.  At the top of the lineup, Tyler Mills fought through a first set with only one break of serve, before falling to the No. 85 player in the nation, Grega Teraz, 6-3, 6-2.  Simon Janik also pushed his opponent to a tie break in the second set before falling.

"This is the best team in the conference," concluded Greggs.  "We showed today that we can play with anyone.  Now we need to take the next step and start pulling out the close matches that we have on court.  I have no complaints about our level of play today.  Everyone gave 100% today."

The Owls will travel to Florida this weekend before facing off on Monday with Atlantic Sun opponent Florida Gulf Coast University.  Match time is set for 2:00 p.m. on the campus of FGCU.

Results:

No. 59 ETSU 7, KSU 0

Doubles:
1) Teraz/Ramirez (ETSU) def. Tyler Mills/Elliot Kahler (KSU) 8-4
2) Gille/Bandres (ETSU) def. SImon Janik/Michael Langel (KSU) 8-6
3) Gokalp Ozdemir/Justin Suesserman (KSU) def. Isaza/Akser (ETSU) 8-6

Singles:
1) No. 85 Grega Teraz (ETSU) def. Tyler Mills (KSU) 6-3, 6-2
2) Sander Gille (ETSU) def. Simon Janik (KSU) 6-2, 7-6(4)
3) Daniel Isaza (ETSU) def. Gokalp Ozdemir (KSU) 6-3, 6-0
4) Jesus Bandres (ETSU) def. Gianni Kubin (KSU) 6-1, 6-2
5) Jeremy Bonnevale (ETSU) def. Michael Langel (KSU) 6-2, 6-1
6) Robin Akser (ETSU) def. Elliot Kahler (KSU) 6-1, 6-3