MARIETTA, Ga. - The men's tennis team showcased their depth and held their nerve for a 4-3 comeback win today at the Fair Oaks Tennis Center, giving them their first Atlantic Sun Conference win of the season.  The Owls (8-8, 1-3 A-Sun) fought back from a 3-1 deficit to down Lipscomb (6-7, 1-2 A-Sun), avenging a 5-2 loss a year ago.

In the doubles, the Owls had a strong performance at No. 2 doubles, with the team of Louis Theodor and Gokalp Ozdemir easing to an 8-4 win over the Bison duo of Chad Pierron and Stuart Tierney.  The Bison, however, would take the remaining two matches and gain the early 1-0 lead.

In singles, the Owls righted the ship by taking the first set in 4 of the 6 matches.  The Owls would strike first blood and level the match at 1-1 when Ozdemir defeated Tierney, 7-5, 3-0 (retired with injury).  The Bison would get themselves back to within one point of the victory as they swept the next two matches which were completed, taking No. 1 and No. 3 from the Owls in straight sets.   Facing the 3-1 hole, Owl No. 2 Theodor found himself in a third set with David Salazar of Lipscomb, while Owl junior Gianni Kubin and freshman Alexander Pena both up a set and with leads in the second set.  

The next Owl to get the home team on the board was Kubin, who brought the match to 3-2 with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Lipscomb senior Colby Shaw.  It looked as if Theodor would roll through the third set, racing to a 5-0 lead, but Salazar fought back to 4-5 down before Theodor broke Salazar's serve to level the team match at 3-3, winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.  Pena and his opponent, Miguel Cortez, were locked at 4-4 in the second set, before each player broke the other's serve twice to force a tiebreaker.  Pena would eliminate any doubt about the outcome in the tiebreaker, winning 6 of the first 7 points before closing out the match for the Owls, 6-2, 7-6(2).

"This is the match we knew we could play," commented Head Coach #T.J. Greggs#.  "I am so very proud of all the men today, who all played a crucial role in this victory.  I am really impressed with "Louinsanity" (Theodor) and Pena for closing out the match for us over upperclassmen.  That's very impressive stuff."

The Owls will return to the court on Friday when they face off with Young Harris College at 10:00 a.m., followed by Jacksonville State at 2:00 p.m.  Both matches will take place at Fair Oaks Tennis Center.

KENNESAW STATE 4, LIPSCOMB 3

Singles
1) Oliver Strecker (LU) def. Alex Toliver (KSU) 6-3, 6-4
2) Louis Theodor (KSU) def. David Salazar (LU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
3) Daniel Hernandez (LU) def. Simon Janik (KSU) 6-4, 6-4
4) Gokalp Ozdemir (KSU) def. Stuart Tierney (LU) 7-5, 3-0 ret. inj.
5) Gianni Kubin (KSU) def. Colby Shaw (LU) 6-2, 6-2
6) Alexander Pena (KSU) def. Miguel Cortez (LU) 6-2, 7-6(2)

Doubles
1) Strecker/Cortez (LU) def. Janik/Michael Browder (KSU) 8-4
2) Theodor/Ozdemir (KSU) def. Chad Pierron/Tierney (LU) 8-4
3) Shaw/Salazar (LU) def. Toliver/Matthew Johnson (KSU) 8-5