ARLINGTON, Texas – The Nicholls State University men's tennis team defeated former Southland-foe UT Arlington 5-2 on Thursday at the UTA Tennis Center.

"Great job by the guys today. They won this one on their own and this is what we have been working towards all year long," said Nicholls head tennis coach Meenakshi Sundaram.

The Colonels opened the match by winning the doubles point, taking the No. 1 and No. 3 courts. Parta Adavelly/ Nico Mertens won 8-7 at No. 1 while Lukas Clemens/ Bernard Wezeman won 8-4.

In singles play, Avadelly and Evan Karatzas won in straight sets at No. 2 and 6, respectively. Merten came out with a three-set victory at No. 3, and the Colonels' final point was in a three-set battle by Wezeman on the No. 4 court.

"I'm very happy for Bernie today as he came through a tough three setter and was able to win this one after losing a few close ones," Coach Sundaram said. "Evan and Nico again were tough as nails and it was good to see Partha believe in himself. We play a tough SMU program tomorrow but we will be ready."

The Colonels and SMU square off at 2 p.m. (March 7) at the Bent Tree Country Club.

Nicholls 5, UT Arlington 2
Singles competition
1. Marek Pesicka (UTA) def. Lukas Clemens (NICM) 6-2, 6-3
2. Partha Adavelly (NICM) def. Carlos Arbiza (UTA) 6-1, 7-6
3. Nico Mertens (NICM) def. Danie, Armengol (UTA) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
4. Bernard Wezeman (NICM) def. Sebastian Erimicioiu (UTA) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
5. Mario Muniesa (UTA) def. Sam Meessen (NICM) 6-1, 6-3
6. Evan Karatzas (NICM) def. Francesco Migliano (UTA) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Partha Adavelly/Nico Mertens (NICM) def. Carlos Arbiza/Mario Muniesa (UTA) 8-7
2. Javier Perez/Sebastian Erimicioiu (UTA) def. Evan Karatzas/Sam Meessen (NICM) 8-6
3. Lukas Clemens/Bernard Wezeman (NICM) def. Austin Robles/Danie, Armengol (UTA) 8-4

Match Notes:
Nicholls 7-5
UT Arlington 3-7