Grace Picks Up Wins At Taylor
Emily Mast helped Grace to a 5-4 win at Taylor, sewing up a high seed in the upcoming Crossroads League tournament. (File photo by Mike Deak)
UPLAND – Grace’s women’s tennis team locked up a high seed in the Crossroads League courtesy of a 5-4 win at Taylor on Saturday. Grace’s men’s tennis team picked up its fifth win in the past six tries with a 6-3 win at Taylor.
The Lady Lancers (9-2, 6-2 CL) can finish no worse than tied for third place in the league standings with one match remaining. Grace can jump up to No. 2 in the CL by upsetting Marian on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
Grace’s best league finish in program history was in 2008 when the team placed third. The Lady Lancers are also well in reach of the program record for single-season wins of 11. Grace has five regular season matches to play, along with the upcoming CL Tournament.
Saturday’s match started with singles’ play. Emily Mast made quick work of her opponent at No. 1 singles with a 6-2, 6-2 scoreline, and Molly Fitzpatrick won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 5 singles.
Jayna Armstrong battled to a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 4 singles, and Jenna Jackson pulled out a three-set win at No. 3 singles (4-6, 6-4, 6-2).
Emily Mast and Jackson were the lone doubles’ tandem to win for Grace, easing away for an 8-3 victory at No. 1 doubles.
The Lancer men (6-4, 4-3 Crossroads League) took two of the three doubles’ points to claim momentum. Max Rozas and Caleb Yoder did not surrender a set at No. 2 doubles (8-0), and Jacob Gray and Conner Bates held on for an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.
Pavle Popovic dominated with a 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 2 singles, and Max Rozas also coasted to a 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles.
Yoder earned the match-clinching fifth point for Grace, winning at No. 6 singles (6-0, 6-7, 6-3), and Gray battled to a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles.
“We had a last-minute lineup change as Lucas’s shoulder was not well, but Caleb Yoder stepped up great for us. He won singles in three sets to earn our fifth point of the match,” said Grace head coach Andy Lewis. “Max and Pavle again showed the way with decisive wins at one and two singles.”
The Lancers have two league matches remaining next week, both on the road. Grace plays at Marian on Tuesday and at Spring Arbor on Thursday.
