Cowley men’s tennis battles hard in loss to Washburn

Playing its first match in three weeks, the Cowley College men’s tennis team shook off the rust to give a solid effort in a 7-2 loss against NCAA Division II Washburn University Saturday in Topeka.

The Tigers were led by freshman Boomer Saia as he picked up his first collegiate win with a 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 victory over the Ichabods’ Brad Johnston in No. 5 singles.

Saia had to overcome the loss of the first set and 40 mile per hour wind gusts.

“Boomer really gutted it out and played well,” Cowley head coach Josh Cobble said. “All of our guys handled themselves well and competed hard against a good Washburn team.”

The doubles team of Sean Cobble and Ignacio Velez picked up the Tigers other win on the afternoon as they defeated Washburn’s Brad Johnston and Nate Martin 8-6 in No. 2 doubles.

Cowley’s Richard Filkuka and Bruce Maytubby also played well before losing their singles matches in three sets.

The Tigers’ home match against Kansas Wesleyan University on Monday was postponed. Cowley will return to action March 15 when they play at Maryville, Mo. The Tigers will play Northwest Missouri State at noon and will then face off against Missouri-Saint Louis at 4 p.m.

Results:
DOUBLES

•No. 1 — Rutger Vliegenberg/Andrew Plum (WU) defeated Richard Filkuka/Diego Motivar (CC) 8-5.
•No. 2 — Ignacio Velez/Sean Cobble (CC) defeated Nathan Martin/Brad Johnston (WU) 8-6.
•No. 3 — Ryan Ward/Drew Hanson (WU) defeated Boomer Saia/Bruce Maytubby (CC) 8-1.

SINGLES

•No. 1 — Vliegenberg (WU) defeated Motivar (CC) 6-3, 7-5.
•No. 2 — Ward (WU) defeated Filkuka (CC) 5-7, 6-4, 10-2.
•No. 3 — Martin (WU) defeated Velez (CCCC) 6-4, 6-1.
•No. 4 — Plum (WU) defeated Cobble (CC) 6-4, 6-2.
•No. 5 — Saia (CC) defeated Johnston (WU) 6-7, 7-6, 7-6.
•No. 6 — Hurd (WU) defeated Maytubby (CCCC) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.