2008 Woodie Awards
Men's tennis wins national tourney berth
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Sports
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In singles, SBU evened the score when their top three players, Kacamakis (6-3, 6-4), El Alabi (6-0, 6-2) and Mollar (6-3, 6-4) all produced wins. In the number four match, Prerad (7-5, 4-6, 4-4) was tied in the third set, but had to discontinue play after Mohadeb (7-5, 3-6, 2-6) and freshman Micah AuBuchon (2-6, 1-6) fell in their matches, giving Washburn (15-2) a 5-3 win. The loss left SBU's record at 9-10.
With their hopes of a 14th MIAA Championship dashed, the 'Cats had one last opportunity to punch their ticket to nationals. Returning Sunday to play Truman State (13-7) for third place, the 'Cats got off to a slow start when they lost two of their three doubles matches.
With Kacamakis / Mollar (8-2) producing SBU's lone doubles win, the 'Cats had to win four of their six singles matches to win the meet, and a trip to nationals. And win they did.
Kacamakis (7-5, 6-0), El Alabi (6-2, 6-2), Mollar (6-3, 6-3) and Prerad (6-2, 6-1) all secured straight-set victories as the 'Cats rallied for a 5-2 win. Raising their record to an even 10-10, the 'Cats cemented their place in the annual 64-team NCAA Tennis Championships.
"The strength of schedule both hurts and helps us," said SBU Head Coach John Bryant. "By playing a tough schedule, you sometimes produce a record that makes you look like a mediocre team. However, you don't improve by playing weaker teams and beating people 6-0. The .500-rule hampers us, but the high-caliber competition makes us better, and prepares us better for nationals."
According to Bryant, the top eight teams in the nation's eight Division II regions - with the exception of teams earning automatic conference tournament bids - are selected for the national tournament. With SBU's loss to Washburn, the 'Cats fell from first to third in their region.
With the top two teams in each region serving as tournament hosts, the 'Cats will travel to Northwest Missouri State in Maryville where they will take on Truman State for the third time in two weeks. SBU will play Truman and host Northwest will play St. Cloud State on Thursday, May 4 in the regional semifinals with the winners to meet Friday for the regional championship. Washburn, the region's top-ranked team and the 2007 MIAA Champion, will host the other North Central first round meet.
With their hopes of a 14th MIAA Championship dashed, the 'Cats had one last opportunity to punch their ticket to nationals. Returning Sunday to play Truman State (13-7) for third place, the 'Cats got off to a slow start when they lost two of their three doubles matches.
With Kacamakis / Mollar (8-2) producing SBU's lone doubles win, the 'Cats had to win four of their six singles matches to win the meet, and a trip to nationals. And win they did.
Kacamakis (7-5, 6-0), El Alabi (6-2, 6-2), Mollar (6-3, 6-3) and Prerad (6-2, 6-1) all secured straight-set victories as the 'Cats rallied for a 5-2 win. Raising their record to an even 10-10, the 'Cats cemented their place in the annual 64-team NCAA Tennis Championships.
"The strength of schedule both hurts and helps us," said SBU Head Coach John Bryant. "By playing a tough schedule, you sometimes produce a record that makes you look like a mediocre team. However, you don't improve by playing weaker teams and beating people 6-0. The .500-rule hampers us, but the high-caliber competition makes us better, and prepares us better for nationals."
According to Bryant, the top eight teams in the nation's eight Division II regions - with the exception of teams earning automatic conference tournament bids - are selected for the national tournament. With SBU's loss to Washburn, the 'Cats fell from first to third in their region.
With the top two teams in each region serving as tournament hosts, the 'Cats will travel to Northwest Missouri State in Maryville where they will take on Truman State for the third time in two weeks. SBU will play Truman and host Northwest will play St. Cloud State on Thursday, May 4 in the regional semifinals with the winners to meet Friday for the regional championship. Washburn, the region's top-ranked team and the 2007 MIAA Champion, will host the other North Central first round meet.
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