Kessler Wins 50th Singles and Doubles Match in Close Double Header Losses to DI Programs

MELBOURNE, Fla. (men’s tennis) — Florida Tech (6-9) hosted two NCAA Division I programs in their second doubleheader of the season falling to the Northern
Illinois Huskies 6-3 and a narrow loss to New Jersey Institute of Technology Highlanders 5-4 in the nightcap at the Fee Avenue Courts. Despite the losses
the Panther’s edged both programs in doubles action going 2-1 for the day in both matches.

“I was impressed with the team’s doubles efforts today and have finally found some good chemistry at the #2 and #3 pairs,” said head coach Bill Macom. “We
are not yet over the hurdle in singles action yet, but Kessler pushed through a shoulder injury after serving underhand in doubles action early to really
shut down his singles opponents’ with massive overhand serves despite the pain.”

Seniors’ Keith Kessler (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Cliff Giel (Savaneta, Aruba) combined for a #1 doubles sweep (8-3 & 8-5) to notch their 50th tandem win.
For their career, the three time All SSC pair and 15th nationally ranked twosome with a .694 winning percentage at a 50-22 overall record. Thus far in 2007
they are on an eight match winning streak and a 13-2 season record. In 2004 they were 11-5, 10-7 in 2005, and last season finished with a 16-8 record.

Also in doubles action freshman Jon Hanna (Nassau, Bahamas) and sophomore Jeremy Casperson (Jacksonville, Fla.) won at the #3 spot in the first match
defeating Alfonso Monroy and Javier Bernabe from Northern Illinois 8-6. In the second match, senior Christian Smith (Arouca, Trinidad) and freshman Art
Yentumi (St. Louis, Mo.) took the #2 pair 8-3 beating Jon Lang and Ramy Lawandry from NJIT.

Kessler went undefeated for the day at the two spot shutting down his opponent’s 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 and 6-2, 6-2 for the day. Kessler again reached the 50
milestone for singles action with a 50-22 overall record as well in singles with a .694 career winning percentage. Again, he is on an eight game winning
streak in singles action as well with an 11-4 2007 record. Kessler went 11-5 his freshman year, 3-4 his sophomore year and 15-9 (at the number one spot)
his junior campaign.

Smith picked up his 20th career doubles win today and at singles action he has 12 wins with his best career record at 4-8 in singles. Giel lost the first
single match 6-0, 6-4 to the Huskies Brian Livingston and came back to fight for the victory 6-7, 6-1, 6-3 against the Highlander’s Steve Erickson. Giel is
six away from the 50 mark with a career 44-24 record and a .647 winning percentage.

The Panthers will be back in action tomorrow hosting Johns Hopkins at 2:00 p.m. with the women opening up the day hosting Johns Hopkins as well at noon.
Both teams will play an exhibition match against the University of Oxford on Thursday, March 15th at 4:30 p.m. at the Kiwi Tennis Club in conjunction with
the Florida Tech “Study Abroad” Program.

MATCH ONE
Tennis Match Results
Northern Illinois University vs Florida Tech
03/13/07 at Melbourne, Fla.

Northern Illinois University 6, Florida Tech 3

Singles competition
1. Brian Livingston (NIU) def. Clifford Giel (FTM) 6-0, 6-4
2. Keith Kessler (FTM) def. Alex Friesen (NIU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
3. Adam Ford (NIU) def. Jonathan Hanna (FTM) 6-0, 6-1
4. Jimmy Chu (NIU) def. Christian Smith (FTM) 6-1, 6-0
5. Javier Bernabe (NIU) def. Jeremy Casperson (FTM) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
6. Alfonso Monroy (NIU) def. Joel Zahlan (FTM) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. #15 Keith Kessler/Clifford Giel (FTM) def. Brian Livingston/Adam Ford (NIU) 8-3
2. Alex Friesen/Jimmy Chu (NIU) def. Christian Smith/Arthur Yentumi (FTM) 8-6
3. Jonathan Hanna/Jeremy Casperson (FTM) def. Alfonso Monroy/Javier Bernabe (NIU) 8-6

Match Notes:
Northern Illinois University 3-5
Florida Tech 6-8; Regional ranking #10
Official: Hagar Bryant T-3 hours A-67

MATCH TWO
Tennis Match Results
New Jersey Inst. of Technology vs Florida Tech
03/13/07 at Melbourne, Fla.

New Jersey Inst. of Technology 5, Florida Tech 4

Singles competition
1. Clifford Giel (FTM) def. Steve Erickson (NJIT) 6-7, 6-1, 6-3
2. Keith Kessler (FTM) def. Jonathan Lang (NJIT) 6-2, 6-2
3. Cosmin Chiujdea (NJIT) def. Christian Smith (FTM) 6-2, 6-1
4. Steve Arlt (NJIT) def. Arthur Yentumi (FTM) 6-3, 6-0
5. Ramy Lawandy (NJIT) def. Christian Kieber (FTM) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
6. Tim Weiman (NJIT) def. Joel Zahlan (FTM) 7-6, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. #15 Keith Kessler/Clifford Giel (FTM) def. Steve Erickson/Cosmin Chiujdea (NJIT) 8-5
2. Christian Smith/Arthur Yentumi (FTM) def. Jonathan Lang/Ramy Lawandy (NJIT) 8-3
3. Steve Arlt/Tim Weiman (NJIT) def. Jonathan Hanna/Adam Outlaw (FTM) 8-6

Match Notes:
New Jersey Inst. of Technology 5-4
Florida Tech 6-8; Regional ranking #10
T-3:00 A-43