CLAREMONT, Calif. -- Paulo Pocasangre Kreling kicked off his time at the 2025 NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Singles Championship on Friday, competing in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championship at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center in Claremont, California. The Kenyon College representative fought hard in his first NCAA singles experience, but his run was cut short after falling in straight sets.

The first-round matchup had Pocasangre Kreling pitted against another first-time NCAA singles selection, Kailas Kahler. Kahler, a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, came out strong with a 6-2 victory in the first set, putting Pocasangre Kreling in early peril in the best-of-three matchup. 

Despite his back being against a wall, Pocasangre Kreling continued to battle in the second set. The Owls' top player responded to an early 2-0 deficit with two straight wins, but Kahler never let Pocasangre Kreling take the lead. Kaler continued to push towards the clinch, pulling within one game of the victory at 5-2.

Still, Pocasangre Kreling refused to give in. The junior gave it his all over the next three games, winning three straight to flip the momentum and tie things up at 5-5. Unfortunately for Pocasangre Kreling, the comeback came up short as Kahler claimed the next two games, clinching the 6-2, 7-5 victory. 

Pocasangre Kreling ends his breakout season with a 20-8 overall singles record.