By ARTHUR HSIEH Playing twice in two days against teams expected to make deep runs in the playoffs, the Minutemen got off to a sluggish start against a disciplined and effective Rowland team. As they did against South Pasadena the day before, doubles fell behind quickly in every set of the first round of play. […]
By ARTHUR HSIEH
Playing twice in two days against teams expected to make deep runs in the playoffs, the Minutemen got off to a sluggish start against a disciplined and effective Rowland team. As they did against South Pasadena the day before, doubles fell behind quickly in every set of the first round of play. History did not repeat itself, as #1 doubles, Matthew Leiva/Michael Mathews, were not able to duplicate their heroic comeback win from 1-4 down the day before. For the second straight day, #2 doubles, Billy Tan/Kenny Cho, were able to complete their comeback, winning, 6-4. #2 singles, Jake Scott, also pulled out a tight one, 7-5.
Trailing, 2-4, the Minutemen knew they would have to up their game if they were to have have any chance to stay in the match. They responded and fought to a 3-3 second round tie, with #1 singles, Daniel Guan (6-2), Leiva/Mathews (7-5, from a 2-5 deficit), and #3 doubles, Tony Gao/Ben Smith (6-4) notching their first wins on the day.
Down 5-7, MHS would need to win 4 sets to tie the match and 5 to win. Nearly every set was hotly contested, but in the end, they could only muster up another 3-3 tie, with Guan (6-0), Leiva/Mathews (6-1), and Scott (7-6) pulling out victories. Scott was down, 1-5, before pulling off an epic comeback.
Maranatha returns to league play tomorrow, as they head to Newport Beach to play Tarbut V Torah.
