THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University men's tennis started its 2016 campaign with a 4-1 victory over Jackson State on Saturday at the Colonel Tennis Complex.
 
Playing in the cold and heavy wind, the Colonels (1-0) wasted no time in putting away Jackson State (0-2). Nicholls dominated doubles with a combined score of 12-2 in its two victories, then went on to win the three of the first four completed singles matches to earn the win.
 
"It was a good win for the guys considering we are early in the season and a little rusty. We did well to play strong in doubles and went up one point," said Nicholls tennis head coach Meenakshi Sundaram.
 
Max Sinn and Oleksander Podgursky shutout their opponents in doubles before Evan Karatzas and Kieran Cronin clinched the point with a 6-2 win.
 
In singles, Podgursky fell on the No. 3 court in straight sets before Nicholls closed out the match with three straight wins. Cronin won at No. 4 6-4, 6-1, and Meessen picked up a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 2. Needing one more win to clinch, Since won at No. 5 by the score of 6-4, 6-2.
 
"In singles play Sam , Kieran and Max got the job done pretty convincingly for us," Sundaram said. "Evan showed his leadership skills as our lone senior by grinding it out and staying ahead in the third . Oscar played strong as well and has come a long way since the fall. It's good to have Sash Podgursky back as he is slowly coming back from injury and much will be expected from him this season."

Nicholls will have the next two weeks off before heading to Mobile for a match against South Alabama on Feb. 7.
 
 
Nicholls 4, Jackson State 1
Singles
1. Evan Karatzas (NICM) vs. Camilo Patino (JSU) 3-6, 6-3, 1-0, unfinished
2. Sam Meessen (NICM) def. Vishu Prasad (JSU) 6-3, 6-1
3. Federico Boscarino (JSU) def. Oleksander Podgursky (NICM) 6-2, 6-4
4. Kieran Cronin (NICM) def. Hernan Geria (JSU) 6-4, 6-1
5. Max Sinn (NICM) def. Miguel Gomez Martin (JSU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Oscar Reeve (NICM) vs. Styliouos Guontsaris (JSU) 7-6, 6-6, unfinished
 
Doubles
1. Sam Meessen/Oscar Reeve (NICM) vs. Camilo Patino/Federico Boscarino (JSU) 5-4, unfinished
2. Evan Karatzas/Kieran Cronin (NICM) def. Ryan Swanier/Federico Mendieta Ru (JSU) 6-2
3. Max Sinn/Oleksander Podgursky (NICM) def. Styliouos Guontsaris/Richie Agarwal (JSU) 6-0
 
Match Notes:
Jackson State 0-2
Nicholls 1-0
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (3,4,2,5)