COLLEGE STATION, Texas  – Going against one of the top programs in the nation, the Nicholls State University men's tennis team received a straight-set victory from Sam Meeseen, but it would be the only point that No. 8 Texas A&M surrendered as the Colonels dropped a 6-1 decision on Sunday evening at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center.
 
Meessen played on the No. 3 court against James Martell and came away with a 6-1, 7-5 win. Nicholls (1-8) had two other matches decided in three sets, but the Aggies went on to claim both. Oleksander Podgursky won the first set against Aleksandre Bakshi, 6-4, and almost earned the point as he fell 7-6 (11-9) in the second. Bakshi dominated the third set with a 6-0 shutout victory. At No. 4, Kieran Cronin also took the first set against Oscar Janglin, 6-2, before dropping the next two, 6-1.
 
The Aggies started out with a 1-0 lead after winning courts 1 and 3 in doubles. Cronin and Podgursky fell 6-3 at No. 1, while Bernard Wezeman / Meessen were handed a 6-3 loss at No. 3.
 
In singles, the Aggies clinched the team win by taking the first three completed matches in straight set. Oscar Reeve lost 6-1, 6-2 against Henry Gordon at No. 6, Evan Karatzas dropped both sets 6-2 against No. 106 Jordi Arconada on the top court, while Max Sinn was defeated by Frankie Colunga, 6-2, 6-3.
 
The Colonel will return to the court next Monday (March 14) at home against UT-Rio Grande Valley. First serve at the Colonel Tennis Complex is slated for 2 p.m.
 
No. 8 Texas A&M 6, Nicholls 1
Singles
1. #106 Jordi Arconada (TAMU) def. Evan Karatzas (NICM) 6-2, 6-2
2. Aleksandre Bakshi (TAMU) def. Oleksander Podgursky (NICM) 6-4, 6-7 (9-11), 6-0
3. Sam Meessen (NICM) def. James Martell (TAMU) 6-1, 7-5
4. Oscar Janglin (TAMU) def. Kieran Cronin (NICM) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
5. Frankie Colunga (TAMU) def. Max Sinn (NICM) 6-2, 6-3
6. Henry Gordon (TAMU) def. Oscar Reeve (NICM) 6-1, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. Jackson Withrow/James Martell (TAMU) def. Kieran Cronin/Oleksander Podgursky (NICM) 6-3
2. Oscar Janglin/Max Lunkin (TAMU) vs. Oscar Reeve/Evan Karatzas (NICM) 5-3, unfinished
3. Kevin Lam/Sam Giammalva (TAMU) def. Bernard Wezeman/Sam Meessen (NICM) 6-3
 
Match Notes:
Nicholls 1-8
Texas A&M 14-3, 2-0; National ranking #8
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,1,5,4,3,2)
T-2:10 A-435