Warriors Fall to Ranked Foes in Missouri
FULTON, Mo. – Midland University wrapped up non-conference play over the weekend with a pair of matches against nationally ranked opponents in Missouri. The Warriors fell to No. 13 Missouri Baptist University, 4-0, on Friday, before dropping a 4-1 decision to No. 17 William Woods University on Saturday.
MISSOURI BAPTIST 4, MIDLAND 0
Missouri Baptist took control early by sweeping doubles play to claim the opening point. Midland's closest result came at No. 2 doubles, where Zhanxing Yu and Martin Cisneros pushed Strahinja Radanovic and Arkhip Tokmakov to a 7-6 decision.
In singles, the Spartans secured the team victory with three straight-set wins. Radanovic defeated Yu, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 2, while Alex Meyer added a 6-3, 6-0 win over Marcin Gniadzik at No. 6. Arkhip Tokmakov clinched the match at No. 5 following a first-set victory and retirement by Angel Bustos. Several other matches were left unfinished once the clinching point was secured.
WILLIAM WOODS 4, MIDLAND 1
The Warriors earned a split in doubles play but came up just short of the point. Yu and Cisneros picked up a 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles, though William Woods claimed victories at No. 1 and No. 3 to take the early advantage.
In singles, Unai Llerena provided Midland's lone point with a strong 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 3. The Owls, however, secured the match with three straight-set victories, including a 7-5, 6-3 win by Duarte Melo over Cisneros at No. 1 and a 6-1, 6-2 decision by Noah Burton over Yu at No. 2.
Midland will return to Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play on Wednesday, April 1, traveling to face Hastings. First serve is set for 11 a.m. in Hastings, Nebraska.