KSU vs. BEL Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State men’s tennis team accomplished something that it has never done in its brief program history, and that was to win its Atlantic Sun Conference opener, as it defeated Belmont, 5-2, on Friday afternoon at the Centennial Sportsplex.

The win improves Kennesaw State to 6-4, 1-0 A-Sun for the season, while the loss drops Belmont to 0-4, 0-1 A-Sun on the year.

Head Coach #T.J. Greggs# knows that this win was big for his team, and the program, moving forward.

“We had several people come up big for us today,” coach Greggs said. “It’s a great way to start the season. We have made the first step out of many to reach our goals.”

The win now moves the Black and Gold to 1-2 in A-Sun openers, and also 1-2 all-time against the Bruins as they were winless in the two previous matches against Belmont.

The match was decided in singles play as the two teams played their six singles matches first on Friday.
Sophomore Elliot Kahler gave the Owls their first point of the day as he won his singles match at the No. 5 spot over Jonathan Murrell 6-1, 6-3. The sophomore was also victorious in doubles action as he and partner Simon Janik won 8-3 at the No. 2 position. Kahler has now won six of his previous eight overall A-Sun matches dating back to last season.

Kahler’s classmate Gokalp Ozdemir clinched the match for Kennesaw State at the No. 4 singles position as he beat Belmont’s Bruno Silva 6-2, 7-6.

The Owls will stay in Nashville, and continue conference play, as they will take on Lipscomb on Saturday at 2 p.m. (CT).