Warriors Split Pair in Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Midland University made a trip out to Colorado at the start of its spring break this weekend for a pair of nonconference duals with a pair of NCAA Division III opponents in Austin College and Colorado College. The Warriors split the trip with a 9-0 win over Austin on Friday and a 5-4 loss at Colorado on Saturday.

FRIDAY: Midland 9, Austin 0

Midland swept past an undermanned Austin team that had just five players. In doubles action, Joren Stevens and Benjamin Starman teamed up for a 6-3 win over Trey Salyer and Evan Pezirtzoglou at No. 1s. Vitor Goncalves and Arthur Hernandes won at No. 2s over Luke Henley and Joel Colunga. The Roos ceded the point at No. 3s and the Warriors went up 3-0 (NCAA DIII Rules).

In singles play, Starman blitzed past Salyer at No. 1s (6-0, 6-0). Stevens was equally impressive with a sweep past Henley (6-0, 6-0). Goncalves was the lone Warrior to give up a game but still won in straight sets at No. 3s over Pezirtzoglou (6-3, 6-0). Hernandes was victorious at No. 4s over Colunga (6-0, 6-0) and Daniel Liebig wrapped up the play on the court at No. 4s, winning over Zeneth Mata (6-0, 6-0).

SATURDAY: Colorado 5, Midland 4

Through doubles play, the Warriors held a 2-1 advantage having won at No. 1s and No. 2s. Joren Stevens and Benjamin Starman won 6-3 over Andrew Kaelin and Aiden Little at the top spot. Vitor Goncalves and Arthur Hernandes were 6-2 winners over August Knox and Nick Anderson.

In singles play, the Tigers roared back to win four of the six matchups to edge past the Warriors. Midland's two wins came from Starman at No. 1s and Daniel Liebig at No. 6s. After dropping the first set, Starman battled back to win over Kaelin (3-6, 6-4, 10-6). Liebig was pushed to the limits but won in two sets over Jack Delafield (6-2, 7-5).

Midland (5-3) will return home for a quick nonconference match with Concordia this coming weekend. The two teams will take the court at the Fremont YMCA on Saturday, March 16.