Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Kennesaw State University traveled to North Carolina last weekend to kick off their seasons.
The men’s team took on the University of North Carolina Wilmington in the Seahawk Invitational, and the Lady Owls traveled to Cullowhee, North Carolina to take on the Western Carolina Catamounts in the WNC Mountain Challenge.
The Owls have several returning players on the men’s team, including senior Drew Wendel, who finished last season with the best rank of the team in dual-match singles with a record of 11-5. Senior Sam Slade, who has a career-singles record of 7-4, was named A-Sun Second Team All-Conference along with junior Manuel Castellanos. It was Castellanos and senior Simon Pritchard who took the crown at the Seahawk Fall Invitational, knocking off Appalachian State University and giving Castellanos his third doubles title in three years.
As the Owls look forward to a great season they have a competitive schedule ahead. The men’s team will play a three-day tournament at the University of Georgia starting Sept. 23. Shortly after that, the Kennesaw State men will travel to Tennessee and compete in the Steve Baras Fall Classic on Sept. 30 at the University of Chattanooga.
The Lady Owls made their own impression over the weekend. Jada Tijani, a freshman from North Gwinnett High School, finished her junior year with a 13-1 record and her senior year with a record of 15-1. She picked up right where she left off, going 6-0 over the weekend.
Tijani and junior Alexandra Mercado swept their doubles match. Aspen Jarrett is another freshman who was a four-year letter winner from her high school in Oldham County and is expected to make an impact for KSU.
The women’s team will have a competitive schedule as well, also set to compete at the Steve Baras Fall Classic in Chattanooga.
