Tiger men dominate ITA Cup

Showing why they will once again be one of the top teams in the country, the Cowley College men's tennis team had the top singles player and doubles team at the ITA Cup in Rome, GA.

"I am just extremely proud of the way the boys competed the whole week," Cowley head coach Manuel Raga said. "This is the first time in the program's history we won both singles and doubles championships at the ITA Cup."

Super sophomore Takeshi Taco repeated as singles champion by defeating Tyler Junior College's Diego Dalisay in the finals. After dropping the first set against Dalisay, Taco had his back against the wall, trailing 4-1 in the second set.

"Takeshi has no quit in him. He kept fighting and fighting for every point, and when the opportunity presented itself, his level rose to the occasion as it usually does," Raga said. "Somehow, he was able to win the second set in dramatic fashion before his opponent decided to retire at the beginning of the third set."

The Tigers' doubles team of Bruno Nhavene and Boruch Skierkier also went 3-0 and defeated the doubles tandem of Dan Persson and Naithaolin Golmei of Tyler 6-3, 6-3 in the finals.

"Bruno and Boruch came into the tournament with a lot of confidence in their game, they understand each other very well, and their game styles are a perfect match for doubles," Raga said. "Their level just kept getting better and better as the tournament progressed, they played their best match on the final day."

Lady Tiger freshman Arina Babenko bounced back from a formidable first-round opponent to win a match at the ITA Cup before losing in the consolation finals.

"Arina had to play against the No. 1 seed in her first match; however at the ITA Cup, there are only the best eight players in the nation, so we were ready for that," Raga said. "We need to continue to work hard, get better and focus on the spring season now."

Cowley sophomores Isid Hernandez and Mariia Koroleva won their opening match before dropping a pair of three-set matches to place fourth at the ITA Cup.

"Isid and Mariia played really well during the tournament; they were very close to beating the team who won the championship," Raga said. "Finishing fourth is not the results we wanted, but they played well and gave it their all to try to win games."

Results:

Men's Singles: 

• Quarterfinals: Takeshi Taco (Cowley) defeated David Martirosian (Glendale Community College) 7-6(4), 6-1. 
• Semifinals: Takeshi Taco (Cowley) defeated Safar Rasulov (ABAC) 6-3, 7-5. 
• Final: Takeshi Taco (Cowley) defeated Diego Dalisay (Tyler) 5-7, 7-5, retired. 

Men's Doubles:

• Quarterfinals: Bruno Nhavene/Boruch Skierkier (Cowley) defeated Paul Gayk/Owen Stice ( Mississippi Gulf Coast) 7-6(3), 7-5.
• Semifinals: Bruno Nhavene/Boruch Skierkier (Cowley) defeated Faiz Nasyam/Emilio Vila (Tyler) 6-2, 6-1. 
• Final: Bruno Nhavene/Boruch Skierkier (Cowley) defeated Dan Persson/Naithaolin Golmei (Tyler) 6-3, 6-3. 

Women's Singles:

• Quarterfinals: Arina Babenko (Cowley) lost to Arina Gamretkaia (Hillsborough) 6-0, 6-1. 
• Consolation semifinals: Arina Babenko (Cowley) defeated Abigail Prokter (West Valley) 6-1, 6-0.
• Consolation final: Arina Babenko (Cowley) lost to Ana De Matta (Meridian) 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(5). 

Women's Doubles: 

• Quarterfinals: Isid Hernandez/Mariia Koroleva (Cowley) defeated Daniela Tovar/Guadalupe Tocci (Jones) 7-5, 6-0.
• Semifinals: Isid Hernandez/Mariia Koroleva (Cowley) lost to Arina Gamretkaia/Esmee Andresen (Hillsborough) 5-7, 6-4, 10-7.
• 3^rd - 4^th place: Isid Hernandez/Mariia Koroleva (Cowley) lost to Alicia Gomez/Yoana Dudova (Hillsborough) 6-4, 4-6, 10-8.