Match 18
Score: Kennesaw State 4, FGCU 3 | Box Score
Records: Kennesaw State (11-7, 3-2), FGCU (6-11, 2-3)
Up Next: Wednesday, April 12 vs. Mercer, 5 p.m.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Sophomore Fermin Calvo Barcelo won a thrilling three-setter to clinch a crucial 4-3 road win for the Kennesaw State men's tennis team over Florida Gulf Coast Thursday night in ASUN action.
 
The Owls (11-7, 3-2) won the doubles point and claimed the first two singles matches to open a 3-0 lead in the match before the Eagles (6-11, 2-3) evened the proceedings at 3-3. It all came down to Calvo Barcelo at No. 2 singles, who clinched the win by coming from a set down to beat Oliver Landert, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4.
 
"What a great match," said Director of Tennis Eduardo Rincon. "I'm really proud of the way we competed tonight. It was a very physical match and the team responded well. I cannot say enough about what (strength coach) Ryan Meehan has with our team in the weight room. I'm happy that the guys see their hard work pay off. Fermin was clutch again for us, and Simon and Lucas continue to be tough in doubles."
 
Kennesaw State improved to 3-6 all-time versus FGCU and won in Fort Myers for the first time. The Owls had not defeated the Eagles since 2011, snapping a five-match FGCU winning streak in the series. The win also allowed the Owls set the program's Division-I record for wins in a season, surpassing 10-win seasons in both 2012 and 2015.

Seniors Sam Slade and Drew Wendel also contributed singles wins for the Owls. Slade defeated Mateo Ruiz, 6-4, 6-4, at No. 3, while Wendel took down Andres Alfonzo, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 5.
 
Wendel also teamed with senior David Durham for a 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles to get the match started. Senior Simon Pritchard and sophomore Lucas de Torres Curth improved to 10-1 in doubles play this spring with a 7-6 win over Landert and Felipe Ramierz to clinch the point.
 
At 3-2 in ASUN play, the Owls are in sole possession of third place, but are tied with second-place Stetson (3-1) in the win column. KSU has one ASUN match remaining at Lipscomb (5-10, 1-3) on Saturday, April 15.
 
The Owls are in action against Wednesday, hosting Mercer in the team's home finale. The match is underway at 5 p.m. at the Betty Siegel Courts and the Owls seniors will be recognized before the match.
 
Singles
1. RAMIREZ, Felipe (FGCU) def. Simon Pritchard (KSU) 6-2, 6-7, 7-6
2. Fermin Calvo Barcelo (KSU) def. LANDERT, Oliver (FGCU) 4-6, 7-6, 6-4
3. Sam Slade (KSU) def. RUIZ, Mateo (FGCU) 6-4, 6-4
4. CERRINI, Ezequiel (FGCU) def. Lucas de Torres Curth (KSU) 7-6, 6-4
5. Drew Wendel (KSU) def. ALFONZO, Andres (FGCU) 6-2, 6-2
6. FERNANDEZ, Javier (FGCU) def. Jake Bouchillon (KSU) 6-3, 6-4
 
Doubles
1. Lucas de Torres Curth/Simon Pritchard (KSU) def. RAMIREZ, Felipe/LANDERT, Oliver (FGCU) 7-6
2. David Durham/Drew Wendel (KSU) def. ALFONZO, Andres/CERRINI, Ezequiel (FGCU) 6-2
3. Fermin Calvo Barcelo/Sam Slade (KSU) vs. RUIZ, Mateo/FERNANDEZ, Javier (FGCU) no result
 
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (5,3,6,4,1,2)

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