Score: Kennesaw State 6, Jacksonville State 1
Records: Kennesaw State (2-1), Jacksonville State (3-6)
Key Players:  Alejandro Valencia (6-4, 6-1); Drew Wendel (6-1, 6-2); David Durham (6-1, 6-4); Simon Pritchard (6-4, 6-3); Manuel Castellanos (6-4, 6-4)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Sophomore Alejandro Valencia's match-clinching victory (6-4, 6-1) secured Friday (Feb.12) afternoon's dual match over Jacksonville State, 6-1, on the first day of the Alabama State Invitational at the Olena Black Underwood Tennis Center.

Playing in its first match since taking down then-undefeated Belmont on Jan. 29 , 5-2, the Owls came out aggressive as sophomore Manuel Castellanos (6-4, 6-4), Simon Pritchard (6-4, 6-3), David Durham (6-1, 6-4, Drew Wendel (6-1, 6-2) and Valencia all recorded singles victories on the day.

Must like a few weeks ago against Belmont, the Owls got the all-important doubles point to jumpstart the dual match and take a 1-0 lead. Doubles tandem of Pritchard and Jorge Wilton (7-6, 5) and Castellanos and Valencia (6-3) secured the point to take an early 1-0 lead.

In singles play, Wendel and Durham bounced back after a hard-fought doubles loss and secured the Owls' first and second singles matches to take a 3-0 lead.

The momentum continued as Valencia secured the Friday victory by not losing a set in his singles match to help Kennesaw State win its second dual match in as many weeks.

Next Up
The Owls will continue their quest at the Alabama State Invitational with a match against Jacksonville State on Saturday (Feb. 13) afternoon at the Olean Black Underwood Tennis Center.

Coach Rincon Quote
"Today was a great day for us. We fought really hard in doubles and got lucky to come out ahead. We did a good job of coming out strong in singles and that really set the tone and helped us today. David Durham and Drew Wendel bounced back nicely after losing doubles and set the tone in singles play. And to see Alejandro secure the victory was great to see."
 - Kennesaw State Director of Tennis Eduardo Rincon
 
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