Seward's Sister Act Collects Three Wins On Opening Day of Nationals
The Seward County Lady Saints sent two players in three draws to the court Sunday afternoon in Tyler, Texas as the 2016 NJCAA National Tournament got underway. Seward's sisterly combo of Mialiniaina and Maminiaina Rakotondrazafy went 3-0 in their three matches on the day, picking up six points for the Lady Saints to put them 10th after day one of the tournament.
Mialiniaina Rakotondrazafy hit the court first for Seward in #1 singles. The 14th ranked player in the country took on 24th ranked Thea Minor of New Mexico Military in her first round matchup. Rakontondrazafy controlled the match throughout, taking the first in dominating fashion 6-0 before cruising to a 6-1 win in the second to earn the victory. Rakotondrazafy will see her competition ramp up even more on Monday in the round of 16 as she battles 3rd ranked Gabrielle Andrews of Tyler.
Maminiaina Rakotondrazafy represented the Lady Saints in #3 singles. She took on Pima's Noelle Karp in the first round of the draw, breezing to a 6-2 win in the first before gutting through a 6-4 second set victory to sweep the match 2-0. She moves one rung further in the bracket where she will take on 33rd ranked Viktoria Seifert of Seminole State Monday morning in the round of 16.
In doubles play, the Rakotondrazafy combo was the only one to get going as well as they took on Collin County's top pair in the #1 bracket. The Lady Saints had little trouble with the Cougars in their opening match, downing them 6-3, 6-1 to easily move onto the next round. In the round of 16 Monday they will look to exact revenge for Seward's 2015 squad as they take on defending National Champions Olivares/Bianco of tournament favorite ASA.
The other four Seward singles players and the Lady Saints other two doubles teams each had first round bye's Sunday and will see their action get going on Monday.