Tiger tennis team makes statement in win over top-ranked Tyler JC

The No. 2-ranked Cowley College men's tennis team showed who the true top junior college team in the country is when they blasted top-ranked Tyler Junior College 7-2 Saturday in Tyler, TX.

Tyler, the winner of each of the past three NJCAA Division I national championships, proved to be no match for the Tigers as Cowley won two of three doubles matches and five of six singles matches.

The last time Cowley had defeated Tyler was back in 2012 when Raga was a player on the team.

"Entering the match we knew it would be tough, but we felt like we were the better team," Cowley head coach Manuel Raga said. "We played unbelievable tennis and were happy to get the win."

Takeshi Taco, Boruch Skierkier, Gaston Erhardt, and Andoni Garmendia each picked up singles and doubles wins for the Tigers. Harry Collins was also victorious at No. 4 singles as Cowley improved its record to 4-0 on the season.

"After the win, I brought the boys together and told them not to get too confident. This is only one win," Raga said. "We will enjoy this, but then get back to work even harder."

Cowley will have some time off before hosting back-to-home matches against NCAA Division II schools on March 21 and 22. The Tigers will first face Southwest Baptist University Monday, March 21 at 2 p.m. before hosting Newman University Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Arkansas City High School tennis courts.

"It will be fun to play at home," Raga said. "We hope to have our fans come out and support us."

Results:

DOUBLES

*No. 1 - Taiyo Hirano & Aymeric Bruno (CC) lost to J. Mosvold & M. Fisher (TJC) 4-8.

*No. 2 - Boruch Skierkier & Gaston Erhardt (CC) defeated T. Riedel & A. Martin (TJC) 8-5.

*No. 3 - Takeshi Taco & Andoni Garmendia (CC) defeated E. Vila & E. Dunn (TJC) 8-1.

SINGLES

*No. 1 - Takeshi Taco defeated T. Riedel (TJC) 6-3, 6-2.

*No. 2 - Boruch Skierkier defeated A. Martin (TJC) 6-3, 6-1.

*No. 3 - Gaston Erhardt defeated E. Vila (TJC) 6-4, 2-6, 11-9.

*No. 4 - Harry Collins defeated J. Mosvold (TJC) 6-2, 6-3.

*No. 5 - Andoni Garmendia defeated M. Fisher (TJC) 6-4, 6-2.

*No. 6 - Taiyo Hirano lost to E. Dunn (TJC) 6-0, 0-6, 6-7(8).