Match 21
Score: Lipscomb 4, Kennesaw State 3 | Box Score | Photo Gallery
Records: Kennesaw State (13-8), Lipscomb (6-13)

FORT MYERS, Fla. --  The Kennesaw State men's tennis team dropped a gut-wrenching 4-3 decision to Lipscomb Friday night in the quarterfinals of the ASUN Championship at the FGCU Tennis Complex in Fort Myers, Fla.
 
In a match knotted at 3-3, it all came down to No. 2 singles as sophomore Fermin Calvo Barcelo dueled with Alejandro Manzanares. Calvo Barcelo took the first set 6-4, Manzanares responded with a 6-4 win in the second set, and the Bison clinched his team's victory by breaking serve in the third set and winning 7-5.
 
The loss eliminates the third-seeded Owls from the ASUN Championship and ends their winningest season in school history with a 13-8 record. Lipscomb (6-13), the sixth-seed, advances to the semifinals for a date with No. 2 Stetson Saturday night.

"Kudos to Lipscomb for playing a really good match tonight," said Director of Tennis Eduardo Rincon. "We competed hard, but failed to capitalize on some opportunities. Overall, I'm very pleased with the season. I'm very thankful to these five seniors for doing an excellent job these last couple years. I'm looking forward to what the future holds for this team."
 
The Owls were in control early, grabbing the doubles point and getting singles wins from seniors Jake Bouchillon (6-1, 6-1) at No. 6 and Drew Wendel (6-3, 6-3) at No. 5 to open a 3-0 lead.
 
But the Bisons began chipping away. Rob Mitchell knocked off Simon Pritchard at No. 1 to put Lipscomb on the board, followed by a win at No. 4 from Daniel Cardenas over Lucas de Torres Curth to make it 3-2.
 
Calvo Barcelo's match at No. 2 and Sam Slade's match at No. 3 versus Victor Chaw were both emotional, three-setters with the overall decision hanging in the balance. Slade won the opening set 6-1, before Chaw rallied and won by scores of 6-4 and 6-2 to pull his team even at 3-3.
 
In last week's regular-season meeting versus the Bisons, the Owls had to rally after dropping the doubles point to win five of the six singles matches. This time, KSU took the doubles point, only to see Lipscomb charge back.
 
Calvo Barcelo and Slade clinched the doubles point with their 7-5 win at No. 3, after Drew Wendel and David Durham opened doubles with a 6-3 win at No. 2.
 
The match represents the final time that seniors Jake Bouchillon, David Durham, Simon Pritchard, Sam Slade, and Drew Wendel will play together as Owls. This senior class helped the Owls win 38 times over the last four years, including a school-record 13 wins this season. This class led the team to its first three ASUN Tournaments in program in history, including the school's first semifinal appearance in 2016.

Singles
1. Rob Mitchell (LIP) def. Simon Pritchard (KSU) 6-4, 6-0
2. Alejandro Manzanares (LIP) def. Fermin Calvo Barcelo (KSU) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
3. Victor Chaw (LIP) def. Sam Slade (KSU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
4. Daniel Cardenas (LIP) def. Lucas de Torres Curth (KSU) 7-5, 7-5
5. Drew Wendel (KSU) def. Jorge Ortegon (LIP) 6-3, 6-3
6. Jake Bouchillon (KSU) def. Thais Minet (LIP) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles
1. Alejandro Manzanares/Victor Chaw (LIP) def. Lucas de Torres Curth/Simon Pritchard (KSU) 6-4
2. Drew Wendel/David Durham (KSU) def. Rob Mitchell/Daniel Cardenas (LIP) 6-3
3. Fermin Calvo Barcelo/Sam Slade (KSU) def. Thais Minet/Jorge Ortegon (LIP) 7-5

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,5,1,4,3,2)

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

-#GoKSUOwls-