Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State men's tennis team came out firing on all cylinders today at the KSU Tennis Complex, racing to a 6-1 victory over Lipscomb in a key Atlantic Sun Conference match for both teams.  With the win, the Owls stay in the hunt for the final spot in the A-Sun Tournament.

The Owls (7-12, 1-7 A-Sun) started off strongly in the doubles portion of the match, sweeping all three matches for the first team point of the match.  Lipscomb (4-10, 1-7 A-Sun) tried to claw back into the match at the top of the lineup, but Simon Janik held off a rally by Daniel Hangstefer at the No. 1 spot, winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-0.  It is the first A-Sun win at No. 1 singles this season for the Owls.

"The team played some really solid doubles," commented head coach T.J. Greggs.  "The real turning point was Simon's third set.  When he went out and fought hard and put away his opponent, it really motivated the rest of our players."

The first Owl to pick up a victory on the day in singles was Gokalp Ozdemir, who easily dispatched of Mario Hernandez at the No. 3 spot.  The Bison would claim their only point of the day when Chad Pierron gained revenge over Tyler Mills, winning in straight sets in a match that went for the Owls a year ago.

Freshmen Gianni Kubin was the deciding point for the Owls, downing Joe McArdle, 6-4, 6-1, and setting off a celebration amongst the Owl fans.  Shortly after, Michael Langel won his match after winning the first set and standing at 3-3 in the second set when Colby Shaw was forced to retire with an injury.  The final touch for the day came when Elliot Kahler fought back from a 6-3, 4-2 deficit at No. 6 singles and barely lost a point the rest of the way, winning 3-6, 6-4, 1-0(2) to finish the victory off for the Owls.

The Owls have two remaining conference, starting with a Saturday morning affair with the Belmont Bruins.  The match will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the KSU Tennis Complex. Admission is free and parking is available in the East Parking Deck.