Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Another heartbreaking doubles point got the Kennesaw State Owls (10-10, 1-5 A-Sun) off to a rough start and the team was unable to recover in a 5-2 loss to USC-Upstate (10-8, 3-4 A-Sun).

In the doubles, the pairing of Michael Browder and Louis Theodor gave the Owls a victory by downing Jacob Darling and Tyler Grove at the No. 2 spot, 8-6.  However, the Spartans would race to victory at the top spot, raising their season record at No. 1 doubles to 6-1 in the A-Sun.  At No. 3, the Owls and Spartans battled back and fort Spartans finally prevailed, 9-7, to close out the doubles point.

In the singles, the Spartans top half showed their might in powering to straight set victories.  The Owls had a glimmer of hope at the top spot when freshman Alex Toliver got out to a 5-3 lead in the second set after being blanked in the first set against A-Sun All-Conference performer Ramiro Blanco.  Unfortunately for the freshman star, the experience of Blanco proved too much to overcome, as he fell 6-0, 7-5. The bright spots for the Owls came at the bottom two spots, with wins by junior Gokalp Ozdemir and freshman Alexander Pena, whose entire family was present from Spartanburg.  Both Owls were forced to a third set before winning.

The Owls will return to the courts on Saturday as they face five-time defending A-Sun Conference Tournament champion, ETSU.  The match is slated for a noon start.