COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Nicholls State University men's tennis team faced  No. 9 Texas A&M on Monday evening and sophomore Nico Mertens came away with a straight-set victory over nationally-ranked Jeremy Efferding, but the Aggies proved to be too much as Mertens was the lone Colonel to earn a point in a 6-1 loss at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center.

"It's great to watch this young team go from strength to strength every match we play, " Nicholls head coach Meenakshi Sundaram said. "It's exciting to see the possibilities with this team . I am happy with the way they believed in their ability to go out there and lay it on the line on every point . With this kind of self belief and tons more hard work , the results for the remainder of the season will be good."

Nicholls (1-2) and the top-ranked Aggies (6-0) were scheduled to play on Sunday, but the match was pushed back a day due to cold weather.

Mertens was one of three Colonels to square off against a nationally ranked opponent in the singles matches as each Aggie in the top half of the lineup was ranked in the top 40 of the ITA. Mertens was able to win the first set 6-4 over No. 13 Efferding before clinching the point with a 6-2 win in the second set. The win improved Mertens' singles mark to a perfect 3-0 on the year.

Partha Adavelly competed in the No. 1 spot, falling to No. 38 Shane Vinsant, while Lukas Clemens was defeated at No. 3, 6-3, 6-4, by No. 19 Harrison Adams. Bernard Wezeman, Sam Meessen and Evan Karatzas all fell in straight sets as well.

Karatzas/ Kieran Cronin started off the match with a 6-2 loss in No. 2 doubles against the 20th-ranked duo of Efferding/ Jordan Szabo. After Wezeman/Clemens was defeated 6-2, Mertens and Adavelly were able to prevent a sweep by dropping Jackson Withrow/ Max Montague 5-3 in the No. 3 pairing.

"I'm very happy with everyone's effort but special mention to Nico for taking out the 13th-ranked player in the country", said Sundaram. "Sam , Evan and Lukas played some real solid tennis as well and their matches were pretty close. Partha did well in doubles and needs to get it together in singles, which he will . Bernard played hard and is looking pretty solid as well . Max had a good day despite playing with an injury . I'm very proud of these guys as they are all winners."

The men will return to the courts on Feb. 7 at Tulane. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.

#9 Texas A&M 6, Nicholls 1
Singles competition
1. #38 Shane Vinsant (TAMU) def. Partha Adavelly (NICM) 6-1, 6-1
2. Nico Mertens (NICM) def. #13 Jeremy Efferding (TAMU) 6-4, 6-2
3. #19 Harrison Adams (TAMU) def. Lukas Clemens (NICM) 6-3, 6-4
4. Max Lunkin (TAMU) def. Bernard Wezeman (NICM) 6-2, 6-1
5. Tito Moreiras (TAMU) def. Sam Meessen (NICM) 6-2, 6-1
6. Frankie Colunga (TAMU) def. Evan Karatzas (NICM) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Harrison Adams/Shane Vinsant (TAMU) def. Bernard Wezeman/Lukas Clemens (NICM) 6-2
2. #20 Jeremy Efferding/Jordan Szabo (TAMU) def. Evan Karatzas/Kieran Cronin (NICM) 6-2
3. Nico Mertens/Partha Adavelly (NICM) def. Jackson Withrow/Max Montague (TAMU) 5-3

Match Notes:
Nicholls 1-2
Texas A&M 6-0; National ranking #9
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (1,4,5,3,2,6)
A-147