Tiger tennis teams win at Northwest Missouri State; Lady Tigers fall at Missouri Western

The Cowley College men and women's tennis teams picked up a pair of impressive wins at NCAA Division II Northwest Missouri State University Friday in Maryville, MO. The Lady Tigers returned to the court Saturday against Missouri Western University and came up just short in a 4-3 loss in St. Joseph, MO.

On Friday, the No. 2-ranked Tiger men lost just one match in a 6-1 win over No. 14-ranked Northwest Missouri State. Cowley swept the doubles matches before going 5-1 in singles play.

"The boys' winning mentality and focus on our game plan have been getting us the results we have been working for," Cowley head coach Manuel Raga said. "Since the first day in the fall, they have been locked in every time they step on the court. I feel we are only getting stronger with every game we play and it's been so much fun as a coach just to watch them put their heart and soul into every game."

After losing two of three doubles matches against Northwest Missouri State, the Lady Tigers bounced back to win four of six singles matches to come away with a 4-3 win over the Bearcats.

The Lady Tigers returned to action on Saturday against the Griffons and took two of three doubles matches before dropping four of six singles matches in the 4-3 defeat.

"I am very proud of the girls, they played back to back days against two very tough teams," Raga said. "I know we will continue to work hard and will be able to win these very close games the rest of the season."

Sophomore Isid Hernandez went unbeaten on the weekend in No. 1 singles and doubles play.

"I am very confident her level will continue to get better and better during the season," Raga said.

The Tiger tennis teams will continue their strong stretch of early season competition when they play at Midwestern State University Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Wichita Falls, TX. The Lady Mustangs are ranked No. 22 in the latest NCAA Division II poll.

Results vs Northwest Missouri State University:

MEN

DOUBLES

*No. 1 - Taiyo Hirano & Aymeric Bruno (CC) defeated A. Zamurri & F. Oliva (NWMS) 7-6(4).

*No. 2 - Boruch Skierkier & Gaston Erhardt (CC) defeated M. Meier & S. Birgerson (NWMS) 6-2.

*No. 3 - Takeshi Taco & Andoni Garmendia (CC) defeated F. Calloud & V. Rodriguez (NWMS) 7-5.

SINGLES

*No. 1 - Takeshi Taco (CC) defeated A. Zamurri (NWMS) 6-4,6-1.

*No. 2 - Boruch Skierkier (CC) defeated F. Oliva (NWMS) 6-2,6-1.

*No. 3 - Gaston Erhardt (CC) defeated S. Birgerson (NWMS) 1-6,6-2,10-5.

*No. 4 - Harry Collins (CC) defeated F. Calloud (NWMS) 6-2,6-2.

*No. 5 - Andoni Garmendia (CC) lost to M. Meier (NWMS) 3-6,3-6.

*No. 6 - Taiyo Hirano (CC) defeated V. Rodriguez (NWMS) 6-3,6-3.

WOMEN

DOUBLES

*No. 1 - Isid Hernandez & Ntokozo Zungu (CC) defeated A. Dodashev & C. Lima (NWMS) 6-1.

*No. 2 - Saara Kunakunova & Tshegofatso Tsiang (CC) lost to V. Alenicheva & T. Pais (NWMS) 0-6.

*No. 3 - Mariia Koroleva & Camila Neyra (CC) lost to J. Aliseda & S. Pignataro (NWMS) 4-6.

SINGLES

*No. 1 - Isid Hernandez (CC) defeated A. Alenicheva (NWMS) 6-4,6-4.

*No. 2 - Ntokozo Zungu (CC) defeated J. Aliseda (NWMS) 6-2,6-2.

*No. 3 - Tshegofatso Tsiang (CC) lost to T. Pais (NWMS) 1-6,3-6.

*No. 4 - Saara Kunakunova (CC) defeated S. Pignataro (NWMS) 6-2,6-2.

*No. 5 - Mariia Koroleva (CC) defeated C. Lima (NWMS) 6-4,7-6(4)

*No. 6 - Lia Sarjveladze (CC) lost to T. Kwakernaak (NWMS) 1-6,0-6.

Results vs Missouri Western University:

WOMEN

DOUBLES

*No. 1 - Isid Hernandez & Ntokozo Zungu (CC) defeated A. Chavez & I. MacGibbon (MW) 6-4.

*No. 2 - Mariia Koroleva & Camila Neyra (CC) lost to E. Guemes & C. Iglesias (MW) 3-6.

*No. 3 - Saara Kunakunova & Tshegofatso Tsiang (CC) defeated N. Donnelly & A. Curci (MW) 6-2.

SINGLES

*No. 1 - Isid Hernandez (CC) defeated A. Chavez (MW) 6-3,6-0.

*No. 2 - Ntokozo Zungu (CC) lost to E. Guemes (MW) 1-6,2-6.

*No. 3 - Tshegofatso Tsiang (CC) lost to A. Peralta (MW) 6-3,4-6,3-6.

*No. 4 - Saara Kunakunova (CC) defeated I. MacGibbon (MW) 6-1,4-6,6-4.

*No. 5 - Mariia Koroleva (CC) lost to C. Iglesias (MW) 6-3,4-6,6-7(2)

*No. 6 - Camila Neyra (CC) lost to A. Curci (MW) 6-1,2-6,1-6.