Seward Advances Six to Semifinals

Kenny Hernandez
TUCSON, Ari. – Seward County Community College reaches the semifinals in six out of the nine events after the third day at the NJCAA National Tournament in Tucson, Arizona. The Saints will compete in singles semifinals in the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 5 draws, and in doubles at No. 2 and No. 3 draws. After three days of competition, the Saints are currently in the top five at the National Tournament and will look to add to their total tomorrow starting at 9:30 AM CT with the singles draws.

Follow along with updates throughout the events tomorrow through the USTA bracket webpage.

Justine Lespes started the day against Nicole Dufour from ABAC as she went down 0-3 in the first set but battled back to win the 7-5. Lespes regrouped and won the second set 6-1 to win the match and advance to the No. 1 singles semifinals match tomorrow at 9:30 AM CT.

Carol Mora competed in the No. 2 singles against Ntokozo Zungu from Cowley and started off strong with a 3-0 lead over Zungu. But Mora went 1-3 in the next four games as she led 4-3 in the first set. Mora went on to win the first set 6-3 and won the second set 6-4 to advance to the semifinals tomorrow at 11:30 AM CT as well.

In the No. 3 singles draw Camille Belberka defeated Kia Carvalho-Landell from State College of Florida 6-3, 6-3. Belberka was in sole control of the match from start to finish. Belberka will compete tomorrow in the No. 3 semifinals at 11:30 AM.

Lucia Popluharova competed in the No. 4 draw and faced Georgia Lily Lynn Browne from St. Petterdburg but fell in the first set 2-6. Popluharova battled back from a 2-5 deficit in the second set but fell short 5-7 to end her singles run.

Alejandra Sandoval battled back to force a third set but fell to Lucia Garcia from SCF 2-6, 6-4, 3-6 in the No. 5 Singles draw.

Jimena Llorens Ramirez faced Lina Brandt from Weatherford in the quarterfinals of the No. 6 singles draw. Ramirez cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 match victory to advance to the semifinals of the No. 6 Singles draw. She will be in action at 9:30 AM for a chance to be at the final match.

In the No. 1 doubles draw Lespes and Belberka fell to Cherfus and McKenzie from St. Petersburg 7-5, 4-6, 4-6. Unfortunately, that ends Belberka’s and Lespes’ doubles run.

In the No. 2 doubles draw Popluharova and Mora defeated Neyra and Koroleva from Cowley 7-5, 4-6, and 6-2. They advance to the No. 2 Doubles semifinal round tomorrow at 1:30 PM CT.

Ramirez and Sandoval defeated Forsyth and Mouton from SCF 4-6, 6-1, and 6-3. They advance to the No. 3 Doubles draw semifinals tomorrow at 1:30 PM CT.

Tomorrow the matches will start at 9:30 PM CT and will be updated on the USTA bracket webpage with the link above.