The Omnibus

Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Sports

Sophomores Emilio Al Alabi and Agustin Mollar practice for the upcoming NCAA National Men's Tennis tournament. Alabi and Mollar are two of five first team selections from Southwest Baptist University.

They're back! After a one-year absence, the Southwest Baptist men's tennis team is back in the national spotlight. For the 16th time in the past 19 seasons, the Bearcats have earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Tennis Championships. SBU, ranked 33rd nationally in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association Poll, is one of 64 teams competing in the 16 Regional Round meets that make up the national championships tournament.
"One of our goals this season was to get back to nationals," said SBU Head Coach John Bryant said. "We've fought through injuries, bad weather, cancellations and a schedule filled with nationally-ranked opponents. This team earned its way here."
With an overall record of 10-10, a third place finish in the MIAA and a schedule that included matches with 11 nationally-ranked teams, the 'Cats were set to face MIAA rival Truman State (13-8) on Thursday, May 3 in their first round North Central Regional match in Maryville. With a victory over Truman, SBU would then advance to the second round to play either St. Cloud State (20-7) or MIAA rival Northwest Missouri State (13-6), the host team, in the Regional Championship at 10 a.m. Friday, May 4. A win on Friday would put the 'Cats in the tournament's third round, the Sweet 16. Third round play is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9 at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
Earlier this week, the 'Cats learned that five of their players had been named to the All-MIAA Men's Tennis Team. Nationally-ranked freshman Alex Kacamakis (21st) was the unanimous first team choice at the number one singles flight. Kacamakis also shared MIAA Most Valuable Player honors with last year's MVP, nationally-ranked Washburn junior Rutger Vliegenberg (28th), and was the unanimous choice for the MIAA Freshman of the Year Award.
Other unanimous first team selections included sophomore Agustin Mollar at number three singles and sophomore Emilio El Alabi and junior Daniel Prerad at number one doubles. El Alabi also earned first team honors at number two singles.
In addition to his first team selection in doubles, Prerad also earned second team honors at number four singles and captured the MIAA's Sportsmanship Award for the second consecutive season.
Another SBU player achieving All-MIAA status was sophomore Alan Mohadeb who earned second team honors at number five singles. Second team honors also went to Kacamakis and Mollar at number two doubles.

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