DES MOINES, Iowa – The Omaha men's tennis team opened its fall schedule at the Roger Knapp Invitational hosted by Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Day one was dedicated to doubles action and day two saw all singles matches played.
The lone doubles victory on the day came from the duo of Nathan Greteman and Lukas Vanzura in the “2” Flight bracket. Greteman and Vanzura dropped their first two matches, but responded with an 8-7 (5) win in the consolation bracket over Simon Danyluk and Hunter Oothoudt of North Dakota.
“We weren't as ready as I would like to have seen our doubles teams to start off the tournament,” commented Coach Tyson Thomas. “The guys weren't ready and I'll take responsibility for that.”
The Mavericks fared better in singles action on Saturday. Sophomore James McManus won his opening match in the “4” Flight Singles bracket. McManus defeated Ty Misialek of North Dakota 6-3, 6-1. Airam Castellano of Kansas City topped McManus in the second round 6-1, 6-4. Castellano went on to win the bracket.
John Ellis won his first match in the “3” Flight singles bracket. Ellis defeated Simon Danyluk of North Dakota 6-3, 6-2. Matt Lynch of Northern Illinois defeated Ellis 6-1, 6-2 in the second round. Ellis dropped his consolation finals match 6-1, 6-3 to Creighton's Elliot Baker.
The Mavericks' Marko Minic won his first match in the “5” Flight Singles bracket in three sets. Minic dropped the first set, but rallied for the win 5-7, 6-1, 10-6. Minic dropped the first set 6-1 to Kansas City's Uldis Gaismins before retiring due to injury.
In the “2” Flight Singles bracket, Colin Buckley dropped his first two matches, before winning his final match in the consolation bracket. Buckley dropped his opening match to Simon Formont of Northern Illinois 6-1, 6-4. Gustavus Adolphus' Brad Entwistle defeated Buckley 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the consolation bracket. Buckley topped North Dakota's David Bergstrom 7-6 (3), 6-0 in his final match of the day.
Nathan Greteman and Lukas Vanzura each won matches in the “6” Flight Singles bracket. Greteman defeated Daniel Choi of North Dakota 6-0, 6-4 before falling to Gustavus Adolphus' Matt Bettles 6-0, 6-4. Vanzura dropped a 6-3, 6-3 match to Bettles, before defeating Choi in three sets 4-6, 6-2, 10-2.
“Moving to singles play the results weren't quite what we would have liked,” commented Coach Thomas. “I saw a lot of growth out there, guys stepping out of their comfort zones. With a team comprised predominantly of underclassmen, we were able to get a good feel for where we are stating this year.”
Coach Thomas believed the team will respond positively from their first competition of the season. “I believe strongly in this team's potential. We have a ways to go, but I have no doubt that we will get there.”
The Mavericks continue their fall schedule this weekend at the Omaha Collegiate Invitational. Doubles action will start on Friday, September 26 at 2:00 p.m. and singles will start on Saturday, September 27 at 10:00 a.m.
