Lancers Win In League Semifinals
Grace College sophomore Daniel Sanchez hits a shot during his win at No. 1 singles Thursday (Photo provided by Grace College Sports Information)
The Lancers (9-2) will hope to avenge last year’s championship defeat to Spring Arbor when they welcome the Cougars to Miller Field on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The winner of the title bout will earn a trip to the NAIA National Championships in Mobile, Ala., from May 14-18.
The Lancers earned a major advantage in the semifinal clash by taking all three doubles matches from the Knights (11-4).
Michael Blevins and Nikola Todorovic produced a clutch 9-8 win at No. 1 doubles, Daniel Sanchez and Aaron Blevins won 8-6 at No. 2 doubles, and Michael Humphrey and Jack Wang completed the sweep with an 8-3 victory at No. 3 doubles.
Grace needed to win just two of the six singles competitions to clinch the match and did so with Sanchez and Humphrey.
Sanchez eased by his opponent at No. 1 singles 6-3, 6-2, and Humphrey got revenge from a regular-season defeat to Marian with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles.
Michael Blevins and Todorovic both defaulted in the midst of their singles matches after Grace had secured the semifinal victory.
“This was a great win, but it’s just step two in the tournament. None of us are satisfied,” said Grace head coach Larry Schuh. The boys are hungry and ready for the championship match. The guys are excited, but they are also hungry. They’re ready.”
The Lancers were the co-regular season champions of the Crossroads League after tying with Indiana Wesleyan. Grace’s regular season title was its first in 23 years.
