The Omnibus

Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: Sports

Freshman Alex Kacamakis readies for the return volley in a doubles match with partner junior Daniel Prerad.

National and regional rankings are nothing new for John Bryant, head coach of Southwest Baptist University's men's tennis team. In his 41-year coaching career, Bryant has produced 35 nationally-ranked teams which now include the 2007 SBU Bearcats.
In the NCAA Division II Top 40 Poll released by Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) March 12, SBU was ranked 34th in the nation, the 'Cats first appearance in the national rankings this season. At the time they were ranked, the 'Cats had a season-best record of 5-3 that included meets with four nationally-ranked teams.
After March 12, the 'Cats went on a four-meet losing streak. The team lost five of seven meets and saw their record plummet to 7-8.
Despite the losses, SBU stayed in the Top 40, dropping just one spot (35th) in March 23 Poll. A big reason for the 'Cats continued presence in the Poll, according to Bryant, is their strength of schedule.
"One of the problems when looking at our record is that we play a very strong schedule," said Bryant. "Five of the last seven teams we played were nationally-ranked."
After starting their season with a seven-meet road trip, the 'Cats were ready to host their first home stand.
With a rainstorm canceling their March 9 meet with nationally-ranked Ouachita Baptist (5th), the 'Cats came back the next day to post a 7-2 win over nationally-ranked Cowley County Community College, the 7th-ranked team in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
Freshman Alex Kacamakis, the 17th-ranked singles player in Division II, picked up a 6-4, 6-2 straight sets singles win for the 'Cats with sophomores Emilio El Alabi (6-3, 3-6, 10-7) and Agustin Mollar (6-4, 6-4), junior Daniel Prerad (6-2, 6-4) and freshman Micah AuBuchon (6-1, 6-4) also producing wins in their matches.
In doubles, the Kacamakis / Prerad (8-0) and El Alabi / Mollar (8-6) teams were both victorious as SBU improved to 5-3.
Meeting nationally-ranked Johnson County Community College (5th), another NJCAA opponent, on March 14, the 'Cats found themselves in an early 3-0 hole when Kacamakis / Prerad (4-8), El Alabi / Mollar (3-8) and Alan Mohadeb / AuBuchon (2-8) fell in doubles.
Rallying in singles, the 'Cats captured the number three through six matches with Mollar (6-2, 6-2), Prerad (6-4, 6-3), Mohadeb (6-3, 6-2) and AuBuchon (6-4, 4-6, 7-6) all getting wins.

Continued...

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