Thursday, March 04, 2010

BRISTOL, Tenn. (March 4, 2010) - After completing one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country the No. 59-ranked ETSU men's tennis team opens both its home and Atlantic Sun Conference season with a 2 p.m. match Friday against league rival Kennesaw State inside the Bubble at the Bristol Country Club in Bristol, Tenn.

The Bucs (2-6, 0-0 A-Sun) welcome the Owls to Bristol after falling at No. 9 Georgia last Saturday. Overall, ETSU has played seven ranked teams, all on the road, since the start of the season, including trips to No. 20 Louisville, No. 5 Tennessee, No. 24 Washington and against UGA last weekend.

ETSU enters Friday's contest with a 34-match A-Sun winning streak. The Bucs last lost in conference action during the 2006 A-Sun Tournament against Belmont. ETSU has never lost a regular season A-Sun match since joining the league in 2005.

Individually, ETSU boasts a strong lineup as they began A-Sun action. Junior Grega Teraz (Mojstrana, Slovenia) found his way back into the ITA national rankings this week at No. 85. Teraz currently has a 3-5 singles record, while sophomore teammate Robin Akser (Ornskoldsvik, Sweden) leads the Bucs with four victories this spring.

Kennesaw State (3-4, 1-0 A-Sun) travels to the Tri-Cities after dominating Campbell 6-1 last Saturday. Overall, KSU has won two straight matches after losing three consecutive contests in the middle of February.

Individually, Gokalp Ozdemir looks to continue his recent success in Bristol. The KSU freshman has reeled off five straight victories since losing to Jordan Smith of Memphis January 29.

For more information on the ETSU men's tennis team please visit www.ETSUBucs.com.