COLUMBIA, S.C. - In the team's second outing of the season, Appalachian State University men's tennis was shutout by non-conference opponent South Carolina at the USC Indoor Facility on Saturday. The Mountaineers (0-2) challenged their SEC opponent but were unable to secure a team point against the Gamecocks (1-0).

Appalachian's only win of the day came at No. 2 doubles, as Alex Markov and Sebastien King pulled out a 9-7 victory over Ivan Machado and Thiago Pinheiro.

ASU's top pair of Philip Kloc and Alain Humblet, ranked No. 8 in the Carolina region, fought tough against South Carolina's Nick Jones and Kyle Koch, but the Gamecock duo pulled out the 9-7 win on its home court.

Ranked No. 14 in the region, Jones pulled out a two-set victory over Markov in the top singles spot, while Machado, ranked No. 17 in the Carolinas, was dominant at No. 2 singles.

After two grueling matches to open the season, the Mountaineers return home to host UNC Asheville at Deer Valley Racquet Club on Sun., Jan 29 at 3 p.m.

South Carolina 7, Appalachian State 0
Jan 21, 2012 at Columbia, S.C. (USC Indoor Facility)

Singles competition
1. Nick Jones (USC) def. Alex Markov (ASU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Ivan Machado (USC) def. Alain Humblet (ASU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Andrew Adams (USC) def. Philip Kloc (ASU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
4. Chip Cox (USC) def. Sebastien King (ASU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Kyle Koch (USC) def. Steve Karendal (ASU) 6-3, 6-4
6. Carl Eguez (USC) def. Matt Saltsgaver (ASU) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Nick Jones/Kyle Koch (USC) def. Philip Kloc/Alain Humblet (ASU) 9-7
2. Alex Markov/Sebastien King (ASU) def. Ivan Machado/Thiago Pinheiro (USC) 9-7
3. Chip Cox/Andrew Adams (USC) def. Andrew McKinnon/Steve Karendal (ASU) 8-3

Match Notes
Appalachian State 0-2
South Carolina 1-0
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (2,1,4,6,3,5)
Humblet/Kloc (ASU) ranked No. 8 in Carolina region.
Nick Jones (USC) ranked No. 14 in Carolina region.
Ivan Machado (USC) ranked No. 17 in Carolina region.