MATCH NOTES

KENNESAW, Ga. –  The Kennesaw State men’s team is set for a pair of matches on Saturday, Feb. 16, as the Owls face Alabama A&M at 10 a.m. (ET), followed by a 3 p.m. match against Alabama State. Both matches will be played at the Olean Black Underwood Tennis Center. The Owls will then face off against UAB on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. at the George Ward Tennis Center in Birmingham, Ala.
 
“We are continuing to grow as a team and function like a family,” said Head Coach T.J. Greggs. “I have loved what I have been seeing at practice and everyone is stepping up in their own way to show growth and leadership. We are facing two teams on Saturday who have been steadily improving. We will be coming out ready for a fight. On Sunday we have our first-ever encounter with UAB, and if we control the controllables aspect of the match, we will have a successful weekend.”
 
KSU (0-2) dropped both matches during its opening weekend. The Owls fell 7-0 on Friday against Nicholls State, followed by a 6-1 loss against Georgia Southern. Freshman Maksim Yorsh tallied his first career singles win for the Owls against the Eagles, while sophomore Louis Theodor and freshman Tobi Menhofer went undefeated at No. 1 doubles.
 
Alabama A&M (0-0) is set to open their 2013 season on Friday night against Jacksonville under new Head Coach Willis Mbandi. Kennesaw State holds a 4-0 advantage in the all-time series and won last season’s meeting 7-0 in Montgomery.
 
Alabama State (2-3) is coming off a 6-1 loss to Jacksonville State on Friday and is 1-1 at its home facility. KSU holds a 4-0 advantage in the all-time series with the Hornets, having won last season’s meeting 7-0 in Montgomery.
 
UAB (2-6) has tallied five straight losses, but posted wins against Florida A&M and fellow A-Sun member Florida Gulf Coast earlier in the season. The Blazers have played a difficult schedule, with five ranked teams among its first seven opponents. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
 
Kennesaw State next returns home for a match against Presbyterian on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Fair Oaks Tennis Center in Marietta, Ga. The Match is set to begin at 2 p.m.
 
Keep up with Owls men's tennis this year by following KSU on Twitter at @KSUOwlNation or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook. 
 
Kennesaw State University is celebrating 30 years of intercollegiate athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.