Saints Solid On Day One of NMMI Invite
So far this fall, the Seward County Saints story has read pretty much the same; sophomores Ronzai Saurombe and Vitor Galvao dominate while the younger portion of the Saints lineup struggles. That was certainly not the case Friday in Roswell, New Mexico as six Seward players combined to go 9-4 including at least one win from every player on day one of the 2014 New Mexico Military Invitational in the desert.
In Flight A singles Ronzai Saurombe and Vitor Galvao controlled play once again as the pair each won two matches to set up yet another all Seward County final between the doubles partners. Neither player had much trouble in their opening round matches as Saurombe beat Thomas Mizera of the University of the Southwest 6-3, 6-2 while Galvao downed Alfred Mohan also of the University of the Southwest 6-2, 6-2 to move both players to the semis. Saurombe had his hands full in the semis, as he was hammered 6-2 in the opening set against Herman Abban of New Mexico Military before coming back to win an incredible second set 7-6 (18-16). After the drawn out second set win, Saurombe carried his momentum into the deciding set, taking Abban down 6-3 to win the match and advance to the finals. Galvao had a much easier time than Saurombe, but was still challenged, beating Redge Rostrom of Collin County 6-4, 6-3 to make his way to the finals with his teammate.
Coming off of word of his at large invite to the ITA National Tournament with partner Ronzai Saurombe, Felipe Casares came out like a gangbuster in Flight B singles on Friday. The freshman picked up a 6-3, 6-4 win over Teba Bira of New Mexico Military in the first round of the tournament and followed that up with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 win over Landon Ibbott of Collin County to advance to the finals.
Seward picked up a pair of first round victories in the Flight C draw. Christian Kurz earned his first collegiate win with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Gus Cooper of the University of the Southwest in the first round while Xavier Ramirez downed Konnor Kunmordai also of the University of the Southwest 6-3, 7-5 to move to the second round. The pair both had trouble in the second round, dropping matches in straight sets to players from Collin and Kurz and Ramirez will take on each other in the 3rd place match Saturday.
In doubles action Casares/Curtis picked up a quality win over Nguyen/Goncalvez of Collin County by a score of 8-5 in the Saints only doubles victory on the day.
The Saints wrap up day one 9-4 overall as a team and will have three singles players and two doubles teams still alive in winners bracket play on Saturday. Seward improves their fall 2014 overall record to 45-39 with the big day.