Match 5: Kennesaw State at Kentucky
Date: Friday, Feb. 21; 6 p.m.
Location:  Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex
Links: Live Stats
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook 
 
Match Preview
The Kennesaw State men's tennis returns to the road to take on Kentucky on Friday (Feb. 21) at 6 p.m. After securing their first home win of the season, the Owls are looking to collect back-to-back wins for the first time this season. 

Scouting Kentucky
The Wildcats are 7-4 overall on the season. UK is coached by Cedric Kaufmann, who's in his eighth season at the helm of UK men's tennis. César Bourgois paces the Wildcats with a 7-3 record in singles. Kevin Huempfner and Alexandre LeBlanc are 7-1 in doubles action for UK this season. 
 
Emery Returns to Kentucky
Matt Emery will guide the Owls into Kentucky on Friday. Emery was named Director of Tennis in July of 2018. He came to KSU after spending six years as an assistant men's tennis coach at Kentucky.  Emery played at Kentucky under his father and longtime head coach Dennis Emery from 2001-05, helping lead the Wildcats to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including the quarterfinals in 2002. Emery ended his collegiate career with 58 singles wins and 36 doubles victories. During his freshman campaign in 2001, Emery teamed with UK All-American Jesse Witten to win the National Clay Courts Doubles Championship. Overall, Kentucky finished in the top 25 of the final team rankings every season Emery was on the squad, including eighth during his sophomore season in 2002.

The Series
Friday's match will be the third meeting between the two programs. UK defeated KSU 5-0 and 6-1 in a doubleheader on Feb. 10, 2019.

The Last Time Out
The Kennesaw State men's tennis team picked up a 5-2 win over ASA Miami at the Betty Siegel Courts on Saturday (Feb. 15).

ASA Miami would pick up the doubles point and grab a 1-0 lead. Sergio Ingles and Harvey Conway defeated Amine Zraidi and Gregorgio Ingles 6-4 to earn the Owls lone victory in doubles.
 
Freshman Harvey Conway got the Owls on the board with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Amin Zraidi at No. 4. The Silver Storm took a 2-1 lead after a win at No.2. KSU would take control of the match from there. Mritunjay Badola defeated Yassir Aknin  6-2, 6-4  to tie the match at 2-2. Gaston Muhammad gave KSU the lead for good when he knocked off Pawit Sornlaksup 7-6 (7-3), 7-5. Bryan Triana bounced back from a tough second set and got past Yassir Kilani 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 to clinch the win. Freshman Seru Tezuka picked up his first collegiate win over Gregorio Ingles 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Next Up
The Owls hit the road again to take on Tennessee Tech on Saturday (Feb. 29).
 
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.