Mustangs mount comeback to upend Augustana
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Morningside made it four victories against National Collegiate Athletic Association teams in five days, as the Mustangs upended Division II Augustana 4-3 in Sioux Falls today. It was the first time that Morningside has beat Augustana, who has been a recurring opponent on the Mustangs’ schedule, since 2008.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Morningside made it four victories against National Collegiate Athletic Association teams in five days, as the Mustangs upended Division II Augustana 4-3 in Sioux Falls today. It was the first time that Morningside has beat Augustana, who has been a recurring opponent on the Mustangs' schedule, since 2008.
Morningside fell behind early as it took one out of the three doubles matches. Mark Trenkle and Santiago Minetti won the no. 2 pairing, 6-3, with the win falling between a pair of victories for the Vikings to give the hosts the doubles point.
Augustana took the first two singles matches to put Morningside in a win or go home situation, down 3-0. The Mustangs dug deep, found their grit, and came back on the Vikings, though, winning the final four matches to take the team victory. Mathys Arnold was first to chip at the lead, winning 6-1, 6-1 in the no. 5 position. Jesse Gerth followed with a 6-4, 6-1 win at no. 6.
Marcos Menedez Hervella had a fight on his hands in the no. 2 spot, winning 7-5 before falling in set two 4-6. The freshman bounced back with a 6-3 win in set three to tie the match, turning all eyes to Alexis Diaz.
Diaz opened with a resounding 6-3 win, but fell 0-6 in set two. With the pressure mounting, the junior delivered a 6-2 win to complete the comeback and end the regular season with a win and a 22-1 record.
The Mustangs will take the court next in the Great Plains Athletic Conference tournament, playing on Thursday, April 24, against the winner of the no. 4 and no. 5 seeds at approximately 1 p.m.
Doubles
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Mark Trenkle/Santiago Minetti def. Conrad Koch/Henry Dornbusch 6-3
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Clayton Poppenga/Jaxon Plank def. Marcos Menendez Hervella/Alexis Diaz 6-3
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Sebastian Garcia/Thomas Kano def. Mathys Arnold/Jesse Gerth 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3
Singles
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Henry Dornbusch def. Mark Trenkle 6-0, 6-1
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Marcos Menendez Hervella def. Conrad Koch 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
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Alexis Diaz def. Jose Velasco 6-3, 0-6, 6-2
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Thomas Kano def. Santiago Minetti 6-2, 6-2
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Mathys Arnold def. Sebastian Garcia 6-1, 6-1
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Jesse Gerth def. Joseph Plachy 6-4, 6-1
Order of finish: 1, 4, 5, 6, 2, 3