Bethel (Kan.) Hands John Brown a Pair of Defeats
BETHEL, Kan. (March 8, 2013) - In its first match of a weekend of contests in eastern Kansas, the Threshers handed the Golden Eagles a 9-0 defeat on the women's side while the men played to an 8-1 loss on the men's side.
The Bethel ladies entered the match receiving votes in the latest NAIA national poll. The Threshers' top pair finished the top doubles spot quickly, handing Leah Engstrom and Michelle Caneday an 8-0 loss before the tandem of Tiffany Prieb and Krizana Saucedo fell 8-3 at the No. 2 slot. Capping off doubles play, Kellie Mowrer and Katie Bellinger slipped up at the third spot, 8-2.
At the second singles' slot, Mowrer played to a 6-2, 6-2, loss before the game moved to pro sets as Bethel captured the win. Saucedo and Bellinger played well at the fifth and sixth spots, posting 8-4 and 8-5 scores, respectively.
The men were able to capture their first point in three matches as Brandon Laney posted a narrow 9-8 victory in singles play at the fifth spot, his first win at the No. 5 slot. Cameron McLendon turned in a valiant effort, falling just short of his first singles' victory of the year. McLendon captured a convincing 6-0 first set victory, but then fell 7-6 in the second set, ultimately losing the tiebreaker.
McLendon and Luke Pascoe teamed up for the No. 1 doubles slot, but faced a quick 8-0 sweep. The second and third doubles fared much better as Alex Baker and Bradon Laney toughed out an 8-3 loss at No. 2 before the duo of Blake Zoellner and Colton Cheek played to an 8-4 score at the third slot.
Both programs fall to 0-5 in the 2013 campaign and will return to the court on Saturday, March 9, against McPherson (Kan.).
