Saints Go 1-1 on Day One of ITA Nationals
For the first time in history, the Seward County Saints sent both a singles player as well as a doubles team to the mix at the ITA National Tournament in Surprise, Arizona on Thursday. In singles action, Carlos Anez was unable to get out of the first round, but he and doubles partner Ondrej Nice bounced back with a straight sets win in doubles play to push their way onto the semifinal round.
After drawing a wild card entry to the tournament, Anez earned the #4 seed in the singles draw, but was immediately upended by Yohan Nguyen of Abraham Baldwin 6-4, 6-3 to end his chances of a National Title. Anez falls to the consolation bracket where he will take on Jason Pimenta of Meridian on Friday.
In doubles action, the Saints first ever ITA Regional Champions, Anez and Nice squared off against the American River combo of Duong and Paro from California. The first set was a grinder with Anez and Nice squeaking out a 7-5 win to take the early advantage and the second went down to the wire again, but again, the Saints prevailed with a 6-4 victory to sweep the match and march onto the semis.
In the semis, the Saints will take on another West Coast squad when they tangle with Blancaneux and Reynaud of Cypress on Friday afternoon.