It was a battle right off the bat between Seward and Midwestern on Friday in doubles play as the Mustangs grabbed the point at #1 while Seward gutted out 9-7 decisions at #2 and #3 to take a 2-1 lead to singles. Midwestern jumped back ahead with quick wins at #1 and #2 singles but Ondrej Nice and Claudio Quinones earned straight set wins at #3 and #5 to give the Saints the lead back 4-3. Ngoni Makambwa was unable to finish his match at #6 for Seward to allow Midwestern to tie the score at 4, so things all came down to the battle at #4 between the Saints Przemek Zielinski and the Mustangs Dylan Hall. Hall took the first 6-3 and was up 4-3 in the second when his temper got the best of him as an unsportsmanlike action forced him to forfeit the match and the deciding point to give the Saints the 5-4 win.
#4 SEWARD COUNTY/#21 MIDWESTERN STATE BOX SCORE<http://www.sewardsaints.com/sports/mten/2016-17/files/MSewardMidwestern.pdf>
Things didn’t get any easier for the Saints on Saturday as they squared off against #25 Cameron in Lawton, Oklahoma. The Aggies jumped out to a 2-1 lead after doubles play as they picked up easy wins at #1 and #3 while Seward’s Alex Mosehle and Gabriel Nery snuck out a 9-7 win at #2 to pick up the Saints only point of pairs play. Cameron picked up points at #1 and #4 singles to take a commanding 4-1 lead, but the Saints came roaring back. Nice won 6-4, 6-2 at #3 while Makambwa nailed down a 6-2, 7-5 win at #6 to make it 4-3. Zielinski was in another dog fight at #4, pulling out a 7-5, 7-6 win to even things up at four and Duro Opacic hung on for a third set victory at #2 to give Seward the 5-4 victory.
#4 SEWARD COUNTY/#25 CAMERON BOX SCORE<http://www.sewardsaints.com/sports/mten/2016-17/files/MSewardCameron.pdf>
Seward improves to 19-4 on the year, extending upon their already school record for wins in a season. The Saints will be back at it next weekend in Plano, Texas when they take on some of the best in the Midwest at the Southwest Juco Championships.
Friday against Midwestern, Seward struggled from the start. The Lady Saints were swept in doubles play, with the closest contest coming at #3 where Seward fell 8-6. Sarah Manseri earned a 6-1, 6-4 win at #2 singles for the Lady Saints, but they wouldn’t pick up any more points. Thalita Rodrigues dropped a three setter at #1, but the other four Seward players were swept in straight sets as the Mustangs cruised to an 8-1 win.
#6 SEWARD COUNTY/#15 MIDWESTERN STATE BOX SCORE<http://www.sewardsaints.com/sports/wten/2016-17/files/WSewardMidwestern.pdf>
Saturday wasn’t any prettier for the Lady Saints as they battled #24 Cameron in Lawton, Oklahoma. Again Seward dropped both matches at the top of the doubles ladder before Tadi Mrewa and Madison Hoelting breezed to an 8-3 win at #3 to keep the Cameron lead to 2-1 after doubles play. Due to injuries, the Lady Saints lineup was mangled for singles as they forfeited at #5 and #6 while the Aggies dominated at 1, 3, and 4 to wrap up an easy 8-1 win.
#6 SEWARD COUNTY/#24 CAMERON BOX SCORE<http://www.sewardsaints.com/sports/wten/2016-17/files/WSewardCameron.pdf>
The Lady Saints have now lost three straight and sit at 14-7 on the year. Things won’t get any easier for the gals in green as they make a trip to Plano, Texas next weekend to take part in the Southwest Juco Championships with some of the top teams in the country in attendance.