Box Score KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Battle-tested from its semifinal the day before, No. 17/No. 1 seed William Woods University (14-8) took another 4-3 decision to win the Heart of America Athletic Conference's first men's tennis championship over traditional rival (RV), No. 2 seed Missouri Baptist University (16-7) Saturday at Plaza Tennis Center.
"The guys have faced a lot of challenges this season, but the determination they brought to the courts today was epic," William Woods tennis coach
Abigail Lemberger Hughes said. "Their love for the team shined through when they came together during the final few matches. It was a big win for the guys, and I am so thrilled and proud. Next up, nationals!"
From the first serve in doubles, the Owls and Spartans brawled for championship glory. William Woods handed Missouri Baptist the first blow, with
Thomas Geukemeijer and
Cole Horton cruising to a 6-0 victory over the Spartans' No. 3 doubles team. However, MBU fought back and tied it at 1 after
Noah Burton and
Robbie Schorr lost 6-3 at the one-line.
Exemplifying its resolve, William Woods won the doubles-point deciding matchup, as freshmen
Aoi Ooka and
Jesper Seger prevailed 6-4 versus the Spartans' No. 2 duo.
Owls graduate student Schorr increased their lead to 2-0, beginning singles action with a comfortable 6-1, 6-0 victory at the six line.
Unfortunately for the Owls, Missouri Baptist took a 3-2 advantage after Burton lost 6-3, 6-3 at the top spot, Geukemeijer fell 6-3, 6-4 at the four slot and Horton dropped a close 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 decision at the two.
Like it did Friday, William Woods played its best tennis when it mattered most, denying the Spartans' comeback and winning the last two singles matchups. Recording those come-from-behind wins for Woods, Seger prevailed by a narrow 7-6, 6-3 margin in the five-slot matchup to even it at 3-all before Ooka dualed it out and earned a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 nailbiting Heart-championship clinching triumph at the three as the Owls topped the Spartans 4-3.
For the second time in as many matches this season, William Woods beat Missouri Baptist 4-3; the regular season meeting was on April 9 in St. Louis. And for the second time in as many conference championships, the Owls defeated the Spartans.
More special than that, William Woods won its third straight conference title and seventh out of a possible nine - no postseason in 2019-20 due to COVID-19 - since the program's inaugural season in 2015-16.
The Owls' postseason journey continues in the 24-team 73rd Annual NAIA Men's Tennis National Championships, which will take place from May 13-17 at Mobile Tennis Center in Mobile, Alabama. The national championships are a single-elimination, dual-match tournament with 15 automatic berths and nine at-large selections. WWU's first-round opponent has yet to be determined.
