Washburn Advances Past SBU; Northwest Eliminated

Men's tennis regional roundup for May 7

WU 5, SBU 4

ABILENE, Texas -- The Washburn Ichabods defeated Southwest Baptist by a 5-4 margin for the third time this season, this time in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Thursday (May 7) at the Eager Tennis Center.

WU advances to play the host school, Abilene Christian (Texas), in the second round Friday (May 8) at noon.

Like the MIAA Tournament championship, the dual came down to the No. 5 singles pairing of junior Yann Kasay vs. freshman Jorge Palacios. Kasay won the first set, 6-1, and he had a 5-2 lead in the second set and was serving for the match before Palacios rallied to even things, 7-5.

Kasay then bounced back and posted a 6-1 score in the deciding set to secure the win for the Ichabods.

Playing in triple-digit temperatures,Washburn held a 2-1 advantage after doubles play as the Ichabods picked up wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Junior Ryan Ward and senior Drew Hanson topped senior Agustin Mollar and freshman Jorge Margiotta, 8-5, while Kasay and junior Simon Blondin defeated Palacios and freshman Tyler Welch, 8-6.

SBU's only win came from senior Emilio El Alabi and junior Marton Zsiga, who picked up an 8-6 decision over junior Branden Joost and senior Brad Johnston.

In singles play, Joost beat Zsiga by scores of 6-4 and 6-2 at No. 1 and junior Adam Rens took care of Welch, 6-4, 6-0 at No. 6 singles. Meanwhile, the Bearcats collected wins at No. 2 (El Alabi d. Blondin, 6-3, 6-1), No. 3 (Mollar d. Ward, 6-0, 6-2) and No. 4 (Margiotta d. Hanson, 6-1, 6-2).

------

St. Edward's (Texas) 5, NWMSU 0

LAWTON, Okla. -- St. Edward's (Texas) backed up its 6-3 win against Northwest Missouri State during the regular season by blanking the Bearcats, 5-0, in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Thursday (May 7) at the Cameron Tennis Complex.

The Hilltoppers swept all three doubles matches and scored straight-set wins at No. 1 and No. 4 singles to wrap up the win.

Northwest sophomores Vijit Sehgal and Giovanni Auricchio each won the first set of their respective singles matches before play ended. St. Edward's held a one-set lead at No. 6 singles while the No. 2 singles match was on serve in the first set.