THIBODAUX, La. – Riding a four-match winning streak, the Nicholls State University men's tennis team hoped to continue their strong start in a weekend trip to the Carolinas, but the Colonels could only come away with one victory, a 4-2 win over USC Upstate which came between losses to UNC Asheville and No. 75 Presbyterian.

The Colonels lost both completed doubles matches to UNC Asheville to fall behind 1-0, but No. 82 Nico Mertens and Sam Meessen grinded out three-set wins on their respective courts to give Nicholls a chance. However, only Lukas Clemens, last week's Southland player of the week, was able to claim a points for the Colonels as they were edged 4-3.

"I'm so proud to be a Colonel today watching the guys do battle with a very good team in very demanding conditions. These guys competed with class and dignity and it's a true delight to work with them ," said Nicholls tennis head coach Meenakshi Sundaram. "We came up short because we missed out on many opportunities to close out matches. This is all about learning and some lessons are learnt after tough losses, but this team is full of spirit and character and we are going to be ok."'

In the Colonels' win over USC Upstate, Nicholls claimed the doubles points after winning on the No. 2 and 3 courts. For singles, Partha Adavelly and Mertens anchored the top of the lineup with straight set wins at No.1 and 2, respectively. On the No. 5 court, Meessens had another strong showing with a 7-6, 7-5 win.

Against No. 75 Presbyterian, the Colonels were shutout for the first time this season as the Blue Hose improved to 13-2 on the year.

The Colonels will hit the road for two matches in Texas, starting Thursday, March 6 at UT Arlington. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m.

UNC Asheville 4, Nicholls 3
Singles competition
1. KRIPAK, Daniel (ASHM) def. Partha Adavelly (NICM) 3-6, 7-6, 7-5
2. #82 Nico Mertens (NICM) def. PANOULAS, Thomas (ASHM) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4
3. Lukas Clemens (NICM) def. CROKER, Alex (ASHM) 7-6, 6-4
4. LANDAU, Brett (ASHM) def. Bernard Wezeman (NICM) 3-6, 7-5, 7-5
5. Sam Meessen (NICM) def. SCHUBEL, John (ASHM) 1-6, 7-6, 6-3
6. SWINDLER, Josh (ASHM) def. Evan Karatzas (NICM) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. CROKER, Alex/LANDAU, Brett (ASHM) def. Partha Adavelly/Nico Mertens (NICM) 8-4
2. SCHUBEL, John/PANOULAS, Thomas (ASHM) def. Bernard Wezeman/Lukas Clemens (NICM) 9-7
3. Sam Meessen/Evan Karatzas (NICM) vs. KRIPAK, Daniel/SWINDLER, Josh (ASHM) no result

Match Notes:
Nicholls 5-4
UNC Asheville 4-6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles ()

Nicholls 4, USC Upstate 2
Singles competition
1. Partha Adavelly (NICM) def. SIMONETTI, Ramon (UPSTMTN) 6-3, 6-4
2. Nico Mertens (NICM) def. KIDLER, Matthias (UPSTMTN) 6-3, 6-1
3. BLANCO, Gonzalo (UPSTMTN) vs. Lukas Clemens (NICM) 6-2, 3-6, unfinished
4. YATES, Jamie (UPSTMTN) def. Bernard Wezeman (NICM) 6-2, 6-4
5. Sam Meessen (NICM) def. HAESSIG, Yvon (UPSTMTN) 7-6, 7-5
6. DHARNI, Rajanvir (UPSTMTN) def. Evan Karatzas (NICM) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. KIDLER, Matthias/BLANCO, Gonzalo (UPSTMTN) def. Partha Adavelly/Nico Mertens (NICM) 8-2
2. Evan Karatzas/Sam Meessen (NICM) def. SIMONETTI, Ramon/HAESSIG, Yvon (UPSTMTN) 8-6
3. Bernard Wezeman/Lukas Clemens (NICM) def. DHARNI, Rajanvir/CARVALHO, Pedro (UPSTMTN) 8-7

Match Notes:
Nicholls 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (6,1,4,2,5,3)

#75 Presbyterian College 4, Nicholls 0
Singles competition
1. MILLS, Grayson (PCM) def. Partha Adavelly (NICM) 6-4, 6-1
2. BERGHAUS, Rafael (PCM) def. Lukas Clemens (NICM) 7-5, 6-3
3. MILLER, Ryan (PCM) vs. Nico Mertens (NICM) 2-6, 6-1, 2-3, unfinished
4. KELLEY, Ben (PCM) vs. Bernard Wezeman (NICM) 6-3, 4-4, unfinished
5. ROBERTS, Joel (PCM) vs. Evan Karatzas (NICM) 3-6, 2-5, unfinished
6. MANZANAS, Diego (PCM) def. Sam Meessen (NICM) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. BERGHAUS, Rafael/ROBERTS, Joel (PCM) vs. Evan Karatzas/Sam Meessen (NICM) 5-3, unfinished
2. KELLEY, Ben/MILLER, Ryan (PCM) def. Nico Mertens/Partha Adavelly (NICM) 8-2
3. MILLS, Grayson/MANZANAS, Diego (PCM) def. Bernard Wezeman/Lukas Clemens (NICM) 8-1

Match Notes:
Nicholls 6-5
Presbyterian College 13-2; National ranking #75
T-2:25 A-67