The St. Edward’s men’s tennis team used a great doubles game to defeat Mesa State, 6-0, Wednesday in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament at Sanlando Park.
St. Edward’s (14-9) jumped to an early 3-0 lead after doubles. Boris Barrios (Senior, Puerto La Cruc, Venezuela) and teammate Mick Walter (Junior, College Station, Texas) made quick work at the number one position, 8-4.
Justin Raiti (Senior, Mildura, Australia) and Bernard Lancaster (Senior, Dallas, Texas) got the Hilltoppers their second point. The duo stayed on serve against their opponents until they broke them at 7-7, and then Lancaster held serve for the 9-7 victory.
Brett Powers (Senior, Midland, Texas) and Ned Boone (Sophomore, London, England) were up a break at 6-3 in No. 2 doubles, but Mesa State broke the team and held serve. However, Powers and Boone broke the Mavericks once more and coasted to victory on Boone’s serve.
In singles action, every Hilltopper won their first set against their Maverick counterpart. Boone and Raiti clinched the match for the Hilltoppers at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions, respectively. Boone took down Jordan Chomko, 6-1, 6-4, while Raiti easily disposed of Andres Hernandez, 6-1, 6-3.
This was the eighth-straight victory for the Hilltoppers and it was the second time in school history they have advanced to the Elite Eight. St. Edward’s advanced to the Elite Eight in 2006 after defeating Kutztown.
St. Edward’s will take on Concordia (N.Y.) on Thursday at the Sanlando Tennis Park in Altamonte Springs, Fla. First serve is set for 1 p.m. EST. Live Stats will be available on the Rollins College Website. For a “different” take on live coverage at the NCAA Tournament, follow Hill Toppers on Facebook.
St. Edward's 6, Mesa St. 0
05/12/10 at Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Sanlando Park)
Singles competition
1. Ned Boone (SEU) def. Jordan Chomko (MSU) 6-1, 6-4
2. Rashad Khamis (MSU) vs. Brett Powers (SEU) 1-6, 3-4, unfinished
3. Justin Raiti (SEU) def. Andres Hernandez (MSU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Nick Provenza (MSU) vs. Mick Walter (SEU) 4-6, 6-0, 1-1, unfinished
5. Brason Hollabaugh (MSU) vs. Boris Barrios (SEU) 2-6, 1-4, unfinished
6. Bernard Lancaster (SEU) def. Niko Carrizo (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Mick Walter/Boris Barrios (SEU) def. Jordan Chomko/Nick Provenza (MSU) 8-4
2. Ned Boone/Brett Powers (SEU) def. Rashad Khamis/Niko Carrizo (MSU) 9-7
3. Justin Raiti/Bernard Lancaster (SEU) def. Andres Hernandez/Brason Hollabaugh (MSU) 9-7