KENNESAW, Ga. - When the schedule for the Atlantic Sun regular season came out, men's tennis head coach T.J. Greggs knew this was a possibility.  Four teams enter the final week of Atlantic Sun Conference play with one spot in the tournament on the line, and all four teams face off with each other over the next five days.

"When I saw the schedule last year, I thought to myself that it could end up this way," commented Greggs.  "I was, of course, hoping we would have some wins in the conference already, but I knew this could happen.  It is going to be a really exciting weekend for us.  The team is pumped up and ready to play."

Lipscomb, Belmont, Mercer and the Owls will all be fighting for the final spot in the six-team tournament, with Lipscomb and Mercer both owning one victory in the Atlantic Sun (both teams defeated Florida Gulf Coast University), while Belmont and KSU are both winless in the conference this season.  If any of the four teams is able to win out, they will be the final team in the tournament.  There are a multitude of scenarios which could play out over the next five days, but the Owls know they control their own destiny.

"Win the next three and we are in," added Greggs.  "All four teams know what is at stake, and we know the most important thing is to take these next three matches one at a time."

On Friday, the Owls' quest for the spot begins against Lipscomb (4-9, 1-6 A-Sun).  One year ago, the Owls held off the Bison on the road, winning 4-3 when current sophomore Ryan Bouttell finished off Lipscomb's Mario Hernandez to clinch the final point.  Mercer will be facing off with Belmont in Macon, Ga. the same day.

The second step of the journey this weekend will involve the Owls taking on Belmont (4-11, 0-7 A-Sun).  The Owls (6-12, 0-7 A-Sun) were not as fortunate against the Bruins a year ago, falling 6-1.  The Bruins have struggled with injuries throughout the spring season, having to go deep down their roster with injuries to almost all of their top 5 players at one point or another. 

"We know better than to look at Belmont's record and think for one minute this team is a pushover of any kind," commented Greggs.  "We expect a real challenge out there on Saturday."

Match time on Friday is 1:00 p.m. at the KSU Tennis Complex.  Saturday's match will begin at 10:00 a.m.  Parking for both matches is available in the East Parking Deck on the KSU Campus, and admission is free to the public.