KSU vs. Jac. St. Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State men’s tennis team lost a heartbreaker on Tuesday afternoon as it fell to Jacksonville State, 4-3, in a match that lasted over five hours.

The loss drops Kennesaw State to 5-3 for the season, while the win improves Jacksonville State to 3-2.

With the doubles matches tied at 1-1, the all important doubles point was hanging in the balance late in the No. 3 doubles team of junior Tyler Mills and freshman Ryan Spencer’s match. The Owls hung in the match, but eventually fell, 9-8, to drop the doubles point.

In singles play, the matches got even tighter as the Owls trailed 3-2 in the match with two singles matches remaining.

Junior Simon Janik kept the Black and Gold’s hopes alive with a thrilling three-set win at the No. 1 spot over Jacksonville State’s Brian Kenyon, who is a top-10 player in the OVC, 6-1, 0-6, 7-6.

With the match tied at 3-3, it came down to the match at the No. 6 singles spot between junior Ryan Bouttell and Jacksonville State’s Felipe Watanabe. Boutell took the first set by a score of 6-4, but then fell in the second set 6-3, and couldn’t hold on in the third losing 6-2 in a match that took four hours.

“I am very pleased with the way we competed today,” head coach #T.J. Greggs# said. “This was the closest match I have ever coached. I am proud of everyone for giving their all today. We have nothing to be ashamed of it was a great team effort.”

The Owls next match is on Feb. 23 at Georgia State.