GREENVILLE, N.C. - The Kennesaw State men's tennis team fought neck and neck with East Carolina University (2-1) today before falling, 4-2, at the Courtside Athletic Club.  ECU picked up the doubles point by the narrowest of margins, and took three of the five completed singles matches to down the Owls (1-1).

In the doubles, the two teams split the top two matches before the drama unfolded at the No. 3 spot.  At No. 1, ECU rolled to an 8-3 victory over the team of Alex Toliver and Louis Theodor, before Simon Janik and Michael Browder moved to 2-0 on the young season with an 8-6 come-from-behind win at No. 2.  The turning point came when ECU prematurely celebrated what they thought was a winning shot, before the outstretched racquet of the 6'6" Browder managed to dice the ball back into play and give the Owls the point and even the match at 6-6.  The Owls could not continue their magic, however, as the duo of Gianni Kubin and Gokalp Ozdemir held a 5-3 lead in the deciding tiebreaker before losing four straight points, giving the Pirates a 9-8(5) win and the doubles point.

"The doubles point was crucial today," lamented Head Coach #T.J. Greggs#.  "ECU was simply more aggressive than us on the big points at No. 3 and it cost us.  Gianni and Gokalp fought hard, but we also need to do the right things to win."

The singles produced two epic matches, both won by the Owls.  At No. 1, Toliver fought his way through a roller coaster match, before finally winning 6-0, 3-6, 6-4.  His opponent, Nicolas Soriano, held a 4-2 lead in the final set before Toliver rolled off four straight games to take the match, breaking his opponent at love to win it.  At No. 3, Theodor played the longest singles match in KSU history, a 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-4 win over ECU junior John Schmitt in just under four hours.  Theodor finally converted on his sixth match point, bringing both teams to their feet in appreciation for the effort of both players.

"I could not be more proud of the way that those two fought today," continued Greggs. "Those two are going to have excellent careers here at KSU.  I am glad they are here to push one another.  They both showed that they have huge hearts out there."

Unfortunately, the heroics by the freshmen would not be enough, as the Pirates were able to take down the Owls in straight sets in the other three matches played, finishing the match out when Damien Brenard of ECU broke Ozdemir's serve for a 6-3, 6-3 victory at No. 5.

The Owls will return to the court next Saturday when they travel to local rival Georgia State.  The Panthers and Owls will square off at Piedmont Park Tennis Center at 10:00 a.m.

Doubles Results
1) Joran Vliegen/Nicolas Soriano (ECU) d. Alex Toliver/Louis Theodor (KSU) 8-3
2) Simon Janik/Michael Browder (KSU) d. Dave Masciorini/Niels Cleeren (ECU) 8-6 
3) John Schmitt/Mario Martinez (ECU) d. Gokalp Ozdemir/Gianni Kubin (KSU) 9-8(5) 

Singles Results
1) Alex Toliver (KSU) d. Nicolas Soriano (ECU) 6-0, 3-6, 6-4
2) Joran Vliegen (ECU) d. Simon Janik (KSU) 6-4, 6-2
3) Louis Theodor (KSU) d. John Schmitt (ECU) 7-6(4) 6-7(3), 6-4
4) Niels Cleeren (ECU) d. Gianni Kubin (KSU) 6-1, 6-3
5) Damien Brenard (ECU) d. Gokalp Ozdemir (KSU) 6-3, 6-3
6) Dave Masciorini (ECU) vs. Michael Browder (KSU), 1-1 Unfinished