LIVE STATS: MEN | WOMEN // VIDEO PREVIEWS: MEN | WOMEN

KENNESAW, Ga. -- The Kennesaw State men's and women's tennis teams open ASUN Conference play Wednesday against USC Upstate at the Betty Siegel Courts on campus. Admission is free, and action is underway with the women's match at 10 a.m. followed by the men at 2 p.m.
 
The Owls are hitting their stride as conference season gears up. The men (8-5) bring a five-match winning streak into Wednesday's ASUN opener, while the women (4-7) have won two straight, and three of their last four.

Junior Alexandra Mercado paces the women with a 7-3 record over her last 10 singles matches. She is 5-2 since her move to No. 1 singles earlier this spring. Fellow junior Cristina Perez-Martin owns a 5-4 record when playing No. 2 singles. In doubles, the pairing of Jessica Cantrell and Kennedy Craig have produced a 3-1 record this spring.
 
The women are fresh off an impressive 4-3 win over Western Carolina this past weekend, a team that brought an 11-4 record into the match. The USC Upstate enter Wednesday's match with a 2-13 overall mark.
 
Kennesaw State beat Upstate last season, 6-1, in Spartanburg with junior Laura Hopton provided the clinching point at No. 1 singles. The Owls also received singles victories from Cantrell, Mercado, and Perez-Martin.



The Owl men have won five straight matches and seven of their last eight to improve to 8-5 this spring. Seniors Simon Pritchard and Sam Slade have carried the torch in singles play, but sophomore newcomer Fermin Calvo Barcelo has made his presence known.
 
The Miami transfer is a week removed from being named the ASUN Player of the Week and has won five straight singles matches and is 7-3 in his last 10. Pritchard is a combined 15-6 this spring (7-4 singles, 8-2 doubles), while Slade is 6-5 in singles action.
 
Over the Owls' five-match winning streak, the team has defeated opponents by a combined score of 28-2.
 
Kennesaw State is looking for its first-ever win over USC Upstate. The Spartans bring a 4-10 record into Wednesday's match.


 
Tennis Coverage
Stay tuned to the Owls' Twitter accounts @KSUMensTennis and @KSUWomensTennis for updates throughout the weekend, and KSUOwls.com will provide live stats for each match, and full recaps following the conclusion of play.

To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's tennis news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation, @KSUMensTennis and @KSUWomensTennis or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.

-#GoKSUOwls-