ORIGINALLY WRITTEN TOM STOPPEL
The Tabor tennis team took a huge stride toward capturing their first KCAC championship this past week.
On Tuesday, Tabor swept the Southwestern Moundbuilders, 9-0, in Winfield.
In No. 1 doubles, Ryan Camping and Scott Friesen won 6-1, 6-1, while the No. 2 team of Paul Raugust and Jon Adrian won 6-2, 6-2.
Michael Hagen and Rob Baboniu won by default.
Baboniu played No. 1 singles and won, 6-2, 6-4, while Hagen, James Fisher, Neil Rabi, Camping and Adrian also won their matches in singles play.
On Wednesday, Tabor defeated perennial KCAC power Bethany, 8-1.
“This was a great way for us to start our conference season,” coach Lonnie Isaac said. “Bethany is the three-time defending KCAC champion, so an 8-1 victory was a big step in terms of us winning the conference title.”
In doubles play, Camping and Friesen won a hard-fought three-set battle, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Baboniu and Hagen, playing No. 2 doubles, won 6-2, 7-5, while Jon Adrian and Paul Raugust won at No. 3, 2-6, 6-0, 6-2.
“We got off to a slow start in two of the doubles matches, but came back to get some solid wins,” Isaac said. “This set the tone for our singles, where we won five of six matches.”
Tabor’s only loss on the day came in No. 1 singles, where Camping was defeated 2-6, 5-7.
In other single matches: Baboniu won 6-0, 6-3; Hagen won 6-0, 6-0; Fisher won 7-6, 6-0; Rabi won 7-5, 7-5; and Adrian won 6-0, 6-0.
“Our team did a great job of supporting each other and playing with great intensity,” Isaac said. “It was really fun to see the guys respond the way they did.
“For our seniors, this is the first time they have ever defeated Bethany, so it was a special day for them.”
Nebraska-Tabor traveled to Lincoln, Neb., Friday and Saturday to battle Doane College and Hastings College.
Tabor, coming off an emotional week of victories against conference foes Southwestern and Bethany, easily defeated their hosts from the north.
On Friday, Tabor took care of Hastings, 9-0. Ryan Camping won No. 1 singles, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
All other singles matches were two-set victories for Tabor. Rob Baboniu won 7-5, 7-6, Michael Hagen won 6-3, 6-3, James Fisher won 6-0, 6-3, Neil Rabi won 6-2, 6-0, and Jon Adrian won 6-1, 6-1.
In doubles, Camping/Friesen won 6-3, 7-5, Hagen/Baboniu won 6-3, 6-2, and Adrian/Raugust won, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6.
On Saturday, Tabor swept Doane College, 9-0.
In singles, Baboniu won 6-2, 6-2, Fisher won 6-1, 6-1, Rabi won 6-0, 6-2, Adrian won 6-0, 6-4, Hefley won 6-4, 6-2, and Raugust won 6-2, 6-0.
In doubles, Camping/Friesen won 6-1, 6-1, Hagen/Baboniu won 6-2, 6-4, and Fisher/Rabi won 6-4, 6-0.
“This was a good weekend for us,” coach Lonnie Isaac said. “We played well in most spots. The big concern heading into the last part of the season remains our No. 3 doubles.
“We need to have this spot be dominant for us to have any chance at regionals. We have numerous combinations that can win the KCAC title, but we need to find that right combination to be successful at the next level.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to find that combination this weekend.”
