ITA RESULTS | GRIZZLY OPEN

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State men's tennis team concluded play at both the ITA Regionals and the Grizzly Open on Monday, seeing strong performances from several players on the road.
 
In Athens, Georgia at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex at the University of Georgia, sophomore Simon Pritchard paced the Owls with a pair of wins. Pritchard took an opening round win over Miami, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3), before taking down USF in commanding fashion, 6-3, 6-2, to advance to the round of 16.
 
On the doubles side of things, David Durham and Drew Wendel teamed up for an 8-6 opening round victory over Florida, placing the duo in the top 32. Jake Bouchillon and Manuel Castellanos also tallied a doubles win, taking down Georgia Southern 8-3 to make it to the round of 16 after an opening round bye.
 
Pritchard and teammate Jorge Wilton also notched a doubles win in the main draw, taking their first match over UCF 8-7 (3).

"Our region is arguably one of the toughest regions in the nation and our team competed very well," said head coach Eduardo Rincon. "It was great to see Simon make a good run and beat two very good players from very strong programs. He's such a hard worker and a very good ambassador for this program and he should feel like he can compete against anybody after the fall he's had. In doubles, we continued to improve.  All three teams advanced to the round of 32 and Bouchillon and Castellanos advanced to the round of 16 to end a seven match winning streak. We have been winning a lot of matches in doubles this fall and we understand it's a crucial aspect in college tennis and we will continue to work diligently in getting better."
 
Over in Gwinnett, Georgia at the Grizzly Open, freshman Will George put together a quarterfinal run in singles action, taking his first match 6-1, 6-0 and his second 6-4, 6-3.
 
Matt Johnson also punched his ticket to the quarterfinals with a come-from-behind win in the opening round and a 7-5, 6-3 victory in the second. Alex Pena tallied two wins as well including an first match shutout, 6-0, 6-0.
 
In doubles, Pena and Johnson took home a pair of wins while Evan Holvoet and Will George grabbed one.
 
"This tournament always has a strong field with teams from Division I, Division II, Division III and NAIA schools," added Rincon. "Between Evan Holvoet, Will George, Matt Johnson and Alex Pena we recorded a 7-4 record in singles and 3-2 record in doubles. This tournament should give us a lot of confidence and a lot of will to keep practicing and improving as a team"
 
KSU will end spring play this upcoming weekend, Oct. 24-26, in Statesboro, Georgia at the Georgia Southern Invitational.

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