MCKINNEY, TX - The Fighting Owls Men's Tennis team travelled to McKinney, Texas on Sunday for the 2023 NJCAA Men's National Tournament. Their first day of competition was Monday, May 15.
The team had a historic day playing a total of 6 matches in day one, winning all 6 matches and accumulating 12 team points. Harford's standout performer on day one was
Filip Bazant. After having to sit out most of last year with a shoulder injury, followed by surgery, he did not return to form until very late this spring. His strength developed over the course of the season and his performance so far at the national tournament was a display of his resilience and strong return to competition. Day two proved to be a bigger challenge for the Fighting Owls. There are 9 draws total in the event including 1-6 singles, and 1-3 doubles. More details can be found on the Event Website:
https://www.tournamentsoftware.com/tournament/9ACB0470-CB26-4358-A74F-1D41CBB7B16C
Flight 1 Singles recap:
#6 seeded
Jaroslav Majsajdr advanced through round one on a bye, and defeated Alex Lago from Iowa Central Community College 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 in round two. He will face the #3 seeded Hugo Car from Eastern Florida State College in the Quarterfinals on Wednesday, May 17th at 8:00 am.
Flight 2 Singles recap:
Antonin Leborne began his tournament run with a strong win over Ian Gordan of Northwest Mississippi Community College 6-1, 6-1. His second round matchup was Juan Carlos Garcia, the #2 seed from Tyler Junior College. Leborne was eliminated 6-3, 6-3.
Flight 3 Singles recap:
James Girdler won his first round matchup against Luke Sanders of East Central Community College 6-1, 6-0. He advanced to the second round to face Eric Tripathi of the #3 seeded Eastern Florida State College. Girdler was defeated by Tripathi by a score of 6-3, 6-2.
Flight 4 Singles recap:
Pablo Poleo defeated Lukas Janusksis from the College of Lake County in round one by a score of 6-0, 6-1. In round two he lost to the #3 seeded Jack Dixon of Eastern Florida State College 6-2, 6-1 and was eliminated from play.
Flight 5 Singles recap:
Filip Bazant bested his first round matchup John David Nelson of Northwest Mississippi Community College 6-0, 6-1. He faced Emilio Vila the #2 seed from Tyler Texas in round two and was defeated 6-1, 6-3.
Flight 6 Singles recap:
#7 seeded
Jesse Faro earned a bye into the second round to face Cam'Ron Crenshaw of Coastal Alabama Community College. Faro advanced to the quarterfinals after winning 6-0, 6-0. He will face Taiyo Hirano the #2 seed from Cowley College on Wednesday, May 17 at 9:30 am.
Flight 1 Doubles recap:
James Girdler and
Jaroslav Majsajdr advanced in round one after defeating Abhinav Acharya and Nick Velders of Prairie State College on a tiebreaker. The match ended 6-3, 7-6(2). In round two they faced the #1 seeded pairing from Tyler Junior College, Diego Dalisay and Juan Carlos Garcia. Girdler and Majsajdr were defeated 6-3, 6-3.
Flight 2 Doubles recap:
Antonin Leborne and
Pablo Poleo defeated their round one matchup against Kyle Bond and Orren Ladner from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College after dropping their first set tie breaker. The match was delayed for lightning during the second set and resumed Tuesday morning. The duo rallied back to win their match 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-4. They will face the #6 seeded Massimo Caliendo and Sebastian Gamez of Wallace State in the quarterfinals.
Flight 3 Doubles recap:
Filip Bajant and Paulo Reis advanced in round one after defeating Lucas Baruffi and Andrew Hoffman of Mesa Community College 6-2, 6-3. They advanced to round two to face #7 Alex Ballinger and Nathaniel Moore of Pratt Community College. They were defeated by a score of 6-2, 6-2.
After day two, Fighting Owls remain in competition in three draws. Majsajdr looks to continue his run in #1 singles,
Jesse Faro is holding strong at #6 singles, and Leborn and Poleo will look to stay alive at #2 doubles. The next update will be provided after the quarterfinals on Wednesday, May 17.
