No. 6 Seward County beats No. 4 Barton 6-3

LIBERAL, Kan.- Seward County Community College was able to take care of business over Barton Community College with a 6-3 victory. The Saints came in as the underdogs with a national ranking of No. 6 and the Cougars at No. 4 in the nation. It came down to the final three singles spots after they were tied 3-3 and the Saints swept the final matches to win the contest.

In doubles, Justine Lespes and Chiara Matteodo handled the first doubles spot with an 8-5 victory. Lucia Popluharova and Maria Garcia were able to win in the second doubles with an 8-2 set score. For the final doubles match, Saskia Vogelzang and Lorena Torrico came up short and lost 8-6 to the cougars and the overall match score was 2-1 in favor of Seward County. 

As the match rotated into the singles competition Justine Lespes swept her opponent in the number one singles spot 6-4, and 6-3. The Saints fell at the number two singles as Lucia Popluharova won the first set 7-5 but fell in the final two 6-0, and 6-4. The Cougars tied the match at 3-3 after they won the third singles spot as Matteodo fell after a first set win 6-4 but lost the last two 6-1, and 6-2. 

The match would be decided with the final three singles matches of the day and Seward County responded with a sweep to win the match. Lorena Torrico was able to win the fifth single spot in straight sets 7-5 and 6-2. Saskia Vogelzang was able to win the six singles match in straight sets as well 6-4 and 6-3. Maria Garcia's match at four singles went into a third set and Garcia was able to pull off the victory with a set one win 6-4, a second set loss 6-3, and won the third set 6-2.

The Saints end the regular season with an 8-7 overall record and will get ready for the National Tournament in Mesa, Arizona on April 30th.