Tiger tennis teams put up a fight in loss to No. 1-ranked Tyler Junior College

Going up against the top-ranked tennis team in the men and women's NJCAA Division I rankings, the No. 4-ranked Cowley College men's tennis team and No. 5-ranked Lady Tiger tennis team battled hard before coming up just short in both matches against Tyler Junior College Friday in Tyler, TX. The Tiger women lost 6-3 and the Cowley men fell 7-2.

"Both men and women gave it their all against the No. 1-ranked JUCO teams in the country and I am happy with their effort," Cowley head coach Manuel Raga said.

The Lady Tigers got victories from newcomer Saara Kunakunova at No. 4 singles, and Ane Ibarra at No. 6 singles. Ibarra also teamed with Andrea Rodriguez to win their No. 3 doubles match.

"Ane Ibarra and Saara Kunakunova both picked up a great win in singles that will help them a lot going forward," Raga said. "I felt we had chances to win a couple other close matches that would give us the victory, but it did not happen this time."

The Tiger men's victories came from Jack Clements at No. 1 singles and the No. 1 doubles team of Clements and Takeshi Taco.

"Jack Clements is playing at a really high level; he is undefeated in singles and since last year he has only lost one singles match," Raga said. "The guys competed well but Tyler was simply better than us that day. We are going to get back to practice and work even harder."

The Tiger tennis teams will face another challenge on Thursday when they play at Seward County at 11 a.m.

"We will face another top-5 junior college team in Seward County," Raga said. "We will be ready for the challenge."

Results:

WOMEN

DOUBLES

*No. 1 - Laura Quezada & Lea Rebreyend (CC) lost to Anzolotta & Matins (TJC) 1-8.

*No. 2 - Isid Hernandez & Saara Kunakunova (CC) lost to Schwarte & Apisah (TJC) 1-8.

*No. 3 - Ane Ibarra & Andrea Rodriguez (CC) defeated Chan & Yoshimura (TJC) 8-7 (7-4).

SINGLES

*No. 1 - Isid Hernandez (CC) lost to Martins (TJC) 7-6 (7,7) 1-6, 2-6.

*No. 2 - Laura Quezada (CC) lost to Anzalotta (TJC) 1-6, 2-6.

*No. 3 - Lea Rebreyend (CC) lost to Apisah (TJC) 0-6 , 0-6.

*No. 4 - Saara Kunakunova (CC) defeated Schwarte(TJC) 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7,5).

*No. 5 - Andrea Rodriguez (CC) lost to Yoshimura (TJC) 1-6, 4-6.

*No. 6 - Ane Ibarra (CC) defeated Chan (TJC) 6-1, 6-4.

MEN

DOUBLES

*No. 1 - Jack Clements & Takeshi Taco (CC) defeated Lyeons & Del Magadan (TJC) 8-5.

*No. 2 - Aymeric Bruno & Alejandro Orihuela (CC) lost to Hanzlik & Minakata (TJC) 5-8.

*No. 3 - Carlos Castillo & Andoni Garmendia (CC) lost to Guerrero & Saint Martin (TJC) 4-8.

SINGLES

*No. 1 - Jack Clements (CC) defeated Lyeons (TJC) 2-6, 6-4, (10,4).

*No. 2 - Takeshi Taco (CC) lost to Hanzlik (TJC) 1-6, 0-6.

*No. 3 - Aymeric Bruno (CC) lost to Minakata (TJC) 1-6, 0-6.

*No. 4 - Alejandro Orihuela (CC) lost to Magadan (TJC) 1-6, 4-6.

*No. 5 - Javier Gonzalez (CC) lost to Kinali (TJC) 1-6, 5-7.

*No. 6 - Carlos Castillo (CC) lost to Guerrero (TJC) 3-6, 5-7.