Indians shake off weather changes, defeat Meridian in Region 23 quarterfinals
The No. 3 seed Itawamba Community College men's tennis team opened the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament with a 5-1 victory over No. 6 seed Meridian in the quarterfinal round on Thursday.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The No. 3 seed Itawamba Community College men's tennis team opened the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament with a 5-1 victory over No. 6 seed Meridian in the quarterfinal round on Thursday.
The match was originally planned for a 3:30 p.m. start on the campus of Jones College in Ellisville, but unfavorable weather in the area moved the contest to Tatum Park in Hattiesburg at 8 p.m.
Although the time and location changed, the Indians' mindset heading into the match did not.
In doubles play, Luca Hoffman and Jack Semper earned an 8-3 victory at No. 2 against Iaike Satterfield and Simon Ojeda, while Ben Orr and Santiago Diaz claimed an 8-3 win at No. 3 over Blakeney Allen and Mark Little. At No. 1, Joan Mateu Ramis Pascual and Knox Waterer fell in a close 9-7 match to Daniel Espin and Baldwin Escobar. The Indians held a 2-1 advantage following doubles play.
In singles action, Diaz picked up a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 4 while Hoffman won No. 5, 6-1, 6-0, and Orr secured the match victory with a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 6.
With the win, the Indians advance to Friday's semifinal match against No. 2 seed Gulf Coast, set for 10:30 a.m. at Tatum Park in Hattiesburg, for a spot in Saturday's championship match.