SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The top-seeded Barry Buccaneers rallied back from a doubles deficit for the second straight day to beat the third-seeded Columbus State Cougars 5-3 at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex on Thursday.
For the second match in the row, the Bucs dropped two of three doubles points, but rallied back in singles for the win.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: #1 Barry 5, #3 Columbus State 3
Records: Barry (27-0), Columbus State (25-3)
DOUBLES:
SINGLES:
- But for the second straight match, the Bucs powerful singles lineup salvaged the win.
- Thirty-fourth-ranked Schmid got the Bucs going in singles, taking down Davico 6-3, 6-0 at No. 2 to even the match at 2-2.
- Fifth-ranked Larsen quickly gave the Bucs the lead with a 6-4, 6-2 win over ninth-ranked Lopez at No. 1.
- Schmidt put the Bucs a point away from clinching with a 6-4, 6-3 over Tilgner at No. 5
- But Seizer was defaulted out at No. 3 while leading 6-4, 3-2, giving Vitale and the Cougars the point.
- Razafindranaly closed out the match 7-6 (5), 6-1 at No. 6 over Luise Sachs.
- At No. 4, Maciejewska and Paya spilt sets.
NOTEWORTHY:
- The Bucs advance to the national championship match against the winner of the Hawai'i Pacific/West Florida match. The Bucs have not played either team this season.
- Maciejewska and Schmid lost for the first time this season, falling to 22-1.
- Larsen is now 7-1 against ranked opponents this season.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
"There are no easy matches at this point. You have to give credit to Columbus State. They really came out and played us very tough. We didn't really play well in doubles, but we came back to gut out a great performance in singles. Now we are just very excited to have a chance to defend our national title."
-- Barry head coach Avi Kigel
ON THE HORIZON:
Barry will play for the national championship at 4:00 pm Eastern on Friday, May. 11.
BOX SCORE
