The Kennesaw State men’s tennis team finished up its first event of the season at the Liberty University Invitational from Friday, Sept.13, to Sunday, Sept. 15.
Seniors Drew Lahey and Sebastian Osorio highlighted the weekend with a doubles victory against Eastern Carolina University on the final day.
“We were very proud of the way the guys finished the tournament on the last day,” Director of Tennis Matt Emery said. “Our freshman got some valuable experience and got some nerves out the first two days and did a great job today of competing looser and free.”
On the opening day, sophomore Mritunjay Badola and sophomore Gaston Muhammad picked up wins for the Owls in singles action. Muhammad rallied from a set down to win 1-6, 6-4, 7-6, while Badola collected a straight-sets win 6-2, 6-2.
In doubles, Badola and sophomore Harvey Maughan won their match 6-2 before Lahey and Osorio collected a 7-5 win.
Prior to KSU, Badola was ranked as high as No. 265 in the International Tennis Federation World Junior Rankings, consistently ranked among the top five in the Indian Junior Rankings, and led his previous college to the NCAA Tournament.
On the second day, the Owls had the team’s best performances of the weekend, winning five singles and one doubles match. While Lahey and Osorio continued to win in both singles and together in doubles, former Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Bryan Triana won in straight sets.
Lahey defeated the second overall seed of the tournament without dropping a set.
Meanwhile, two players won their first matches representing KSU. Freshmen Harvey Conway and Seru Tezuka were victorious in their college debuts.
On the final day, Lahey and Osorio completed their three-day sweep of doubles matches, winning in a tight tiebreaker match 7-6 (7-3). Once again, KSU managed five victories in singles competition.
The Owls will return to action from Friday, Sept. 20, to Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Mercer Gridiron Classic in Macon, Georgia.
