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KENNESAW, Ga. — The Kennesaw State University women’s tennis team is riding a wave of momentum as it prepares to host a challenging stretch of matches, welcoming Georgia State on Friday, March 6, followed by Virginia Tech on Tuesday, March 10, and concluding with a road contest at Mercer on Wednesday, March 11. The Owls have won four consecutive matches, a streak not seen since March 31-April 8, 2023, and are looking to continue their strong performance at the Betty Siegel Courts.

Kennesaw State (4-3, 0-0 CUSA) is coming off a successful two-week road trip, securing victories against Troy (4-2) and UAB (4-3) on February 18 and 20, before dominating Alcorn State (7-0) and Southern Miss (4-0) a week later. This turnaround from a rocky 0-3 start to the season highlights the team’s resilience and growing confidence.

The Owls will first face Georgia State (3-6, 1-0 Sun Belt) at 11 a.m. On Friday. KSU has historically had a competitive series with the Panthers, currently trailing 5-4 but has won the last four matchups, including a 5-2 victory in Atlanta in 2025. Live stats for the Georgia State match can be found here.

Tuesday’s match against Virginia Tech (3-5, 0-2 ACC) marks a significant occasion for the Kennesaw State program – their first home contest against a Power Five conference opponent since hosting Penn State on March 7, 2020. A win against the Hokies, who are currently on a four-match losing streak after falling to JMU, No. 16 Virginia, No. 23 SMU and ETSU, would be a program first. Virginia Tech is scheduled to play Furman on March 8 before traveling to Kennesaw. Live stats for the Virginia Tech match are available here.

Key Players Driving the Owls’ Success

Several players have been instrumental in Kennesaw State’s recent success. Freshman Maria Ivankovic, from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is currently on a four-match winning streak in singles play, having won her last two matches in straight sets against Alcorn State and Southern Miss. The duo of Ema Baraniakova (Leopoldov, Slovakia) and Sofia Madrid (Neuquen, Argentina) have also been dominant in doubles, securing wins in their last four matches, including a 6-1 victory over the Braves and a 6-3 win against the Golden Eagles.

Series History and Opponent Insights

Following the home stand, Kennesaw State will travel to Macon, GA, to take on Mercer (7-5, 0-0 SoCon) on Wednesday, March 11, at 2:30 p.m. The Owls are looking for their fifth consecutive win over the Bears, holding a 9-6 advantage in the series and having won their last meeting 6-1 in Kennesaw. Mercer has recently experienced a mixed bag of results, splitting their matches last week with a 4-2 win at Troy and a 1-4 loss against Georgia Southern.

Georgia State is coming off a 0-4 loss to Florida State and a 6-1 win at Florida A&M. The Panthers finished eighth in the Sun Belt Conference with a 6-12 (5-5) record in 2025. Virginia Tech concluded the 2025 season with a 13-12 record and a 15th-place finish in the ACC.

Fans interested in supporting Kennesaw State Athletics can contribute through The Owls Fund, which supports student-athletes and programs through various initiatives, including Legacy Lockers and the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic.

The Owls will gaze to maintain their winning momentum as they navigate this challenging three-match stretch. The outcomes of these contests will be crucial as they continue their season and strive for success in the Conference USA.

Stay tuned to Kennesaw State Athletics for updates and further information on the women’s tennis team’s progress throughout the season.

Residents of the Double region in southwestern France have been without internet and telephone service for more than two weeks following the passage of Storm Nils on February 12th and 13th. The storm felled trees and branches, severing lines – many of which are not buried – and leaving communities isolated.

Véronique, a resident of the affected area for 37 years, described cables lying across the road near Échourgnac. “Everyone is driving over them,” she said, adding that residents have been warned not to touch the downed lines. She expressed frustration with the lack of clear information, stating that inquiries to Périgord numérique, Nouvelle-Aquitaine very high speed (NATHD), the prefecture, and Orange have yielded little progress. “We don’t get any information. Or if we do, it’s just to be told ‘it’s not me, it’s the other one.’”

Dominique Mathieu and his sister, Marie-Line Mathieu-Benourdja, are concerned for their 80-year-old mother, Francine, who recently underwent heart surgery and lives alone. Marie-Line Mathieu-Benourdja recounted that their mother had to call emergency services twice in December and fears a similar situation without a functioning phone line. “It’s a failure to assist someone in danger,” she said. Dominique Mathieu has been visiting his mother more frequently to ensure her well-being and assist with medical appointments, which she is currently unable to schedule independently.

Many residents lack cellular service, falling within “white zones” where coverage is unavailable. Whereas Orange has provided some residents with Airbox devices that utilize 4G connectivity, Francine Mathieu’s home is among those without service.

The disruption is similarly impacting local businesses. Hélène Raynaud, the secretary at the town hall – also without internet or phone – is relying on a 4G connection when available to carry out her duties. “The funeral home is waiting for a document I can’t send them,” she said. Mayor Serge Durand acknowledged the frustration of residents but stated that the situation is beyond the town’s control. “We are being shaken up by the residents. But People can only wait. We are given an intervention date, then it is postponed. The technicians are overwhelmed.”

Solenne Saunier and Rémy Puicercus, owners of the La P’tite Table d’Alix restaurant, are operating solely on reservations, a system hampered by the lack of phone service. “We’ve missed reservations,” Puicercus said. They must travel to areas with cellular coverage to check for messages. The restaurant also cannot accept card payments without internet access. Saunier emphasized the impact on elderly and isolated residents as the most concerning aspect of the outage.

According to Météo-France, Storm Nils traversed the south of France between February 11th and 13th, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall. The storm generated an exceptional avalanche risk in the Alps, with wind gusts reaching 185 km/h in Cagnano, Corsica, and 180 km/h in Caixas, Pyrénées-Orientales. The storm was the third major winter storm to hit France this season, following Benjamin in October 2025 and Goretti in January 2026.

The combined impact of Storms Nils and Pedro, which struck on February 19th, is estimated at €1.2 billion in damages, according to a statement released on March 2nd by France Assureurs and CCR, the French reinsurance group. France Assureurs estimates storm damage at €900 million, while CCR estimates flood damage at €290 million under the natural disaster scheme.