The Omnibus

Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Rober Barrow Freshman Alex Kacamakis and sophomore Agustin Mollar practice doubles in preparation for the MIAA Championships. The Bearcats took 3rd in the MIAA and qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament.

Win, and you're in. That was the situation facing the Southwest Baptist men's tennis team at the MIAA Championships last week. In addition to competing for the MIAA title, the Bearcats were also playing for the right to participate in the NCAA Division II Tennis Championships next month.
Despite their national ranking (36th in the nation in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Poll), their number one North Central Region ranking, their conference standing (3-1, second in the MIAA) and a regular season schedule that included meets against 11 nationally-ranked teams, the 'Cats still had one potential road block that could keep them out of the national tournament: a losing record. Going into the MIAA Tournament, SBU had an overall record of 9-9, a mark that met the NCAA's .500-rule requirement. Teams with below .500 record's are not allowed to compete in the national tournament. The 'Cats weekend mission: win the MIAA title and secure a berth in the national tournament.
SBU started the weekend with a Friday, April 20 make-up meet against MIAA rival Truman State (12-7). Playing in St. Joseph, the site of the upcoming MIAA Championships, the 'Cats took an early 2-1 lead by winning two of their three doubles matches. Sophomore Emilio El Alabi and junior Daniel Prerad picked up an 8-1 victory in number one singles with freshman Alex Kacamakis and sophomore Agustin Mollar winning 8-6.
In singles, the 'Cats captured the three match victories they would need to claim a 5-2 team victory. Kacamakis, ranked 21st nationally, won 6-2, 6-2 at number one singles with El Alabi (6-0, 6-3) and Mohadeb (6-2, 6-1) getting wins in the number two and five matches, respectively.
With their record at 9-9, the 'Cats had to win one of their two remaining meets in the MIAA Tournament. Meeting nationally-ranked Washburn (22nd) Saturday, April 21 in an MIAA semifinal meet, the 'Cats found themselves in an early 3-0 hole when they dropped all of their three doubles matches.

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