Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State men’s tennis team took a big step closer to achieving its goal of earning its first-ever Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament berth as it defeated Jacksonville, 4-3, on Friday evening at the Keith Watson Family Tennis Complex.

Friday was a record breaking day for the Owls as their win over the Dolphins improved them to 8-7 (3-2 A-Sun) for the season, and it also saw them break two program records. The eight overall wins are the most wins in a single season since the program started back in 2008. Also, the three A-Sun wins are the most conference wins in a single season in program history.

“I am so excited about the way we played as a team today and how we kept each other going against a very good Jacksonville team,” head coach #T.J. Greggs# said.  “Elliot and Simon were both suffering with cramping today, but they both fought hard to give us an opportunity to win.  Spencer and Ozdemir both played such steady matches today, and that really gave the other players confidence. The doubles work we have been doing continues to pay off for us in a big way.  That is such a mental edge to know that you only have to split the singles matches to win.”

In doubles play, the Owls wound up winning two of the three doubles matches to take the doubles point. The Black and Gold clinched the point with a win at the No. 2 doubles spot as the team of sophomore Gokalp Ozdemir and sophomore Gianni Kubin were down a break for most of the match, but broke Jacksonville late to even the match and send it to a tiebreaker. The two teams traded points in the tiebreaker until the score was 5-5, and then the Owls won the last two points to take the match.

Kennesaw State got all three of its singles wins from the bottom half of the singles lineup, including the match-winner from sophomore Elliot Kahler as he came back from a set down to win the match. Ozdemir and freshman Ryan Spencer took home the other singles wins.

The Black and Gold will stay in Jacksonville to take on No. 75 North Florida on Saturday.