Grace Roundup: Men's Tennis Team Continues Surge
September 24, 2018 at 3:12 p.m.
By Josh Neuhart-
The Lancers (6-4, 4-3 Crossroads League) took two of the three doubles points to claim momentum. Max Rozas and Caleb Yoder did not surrender a game at No. 2 doubles (8-0), and Jacob Gray and Conner Bates held on for an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.
Pavle Popovic dominated with a 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 2 singles, and Max Rozas also coasted to a 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles.
Yoder earned the match-clinching fifth point for Grace, winning at No. 6 singles (6-0, 6-7, 6-3), and Gray battled to a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles.
“We had a last-minute lineup change as Lucas’ shoulder was not well, but Caleb Yoder stepped up great for us. He won singles in three sets to earn our fifth point of the match,” said Grace head coach Andy Lewis. “Max and Pavle again showed the way with decisive wins at No. 1 and 2 singles.”
The Lancers have two league matches remaining this week, both on the road. Grace plays at Marian on Tuesday and at Spring Arbor on Thursday.
Women’s Tennis
UPLAND – Grace's women's tennis team locked up a high seed in the Crossroads League courtesy of a 5-4 win at Taylor on Saturday.
The Lady Lancers (9-2, 6-2 CL) can finish no worse than tied for third place in the league standings with one match remaining. Grace can jump up to No. 2 in the CL by upsetting Marian on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
Grace's best league finish in program history was in 2008 when the team placed third. The Lady Lancers are also well in reach of the program record for single-season wins of 11. Grace has five regular season matches to play, along with the upcoming CL Tournament.
Saturday's match started with singles play. Emily Mast made quick work of her opponent at No. 1 singles with a 6-2, 6-2 scoreline, and Molly Fitzpatrick won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 5 singles.
Jayna Armstrong battled to a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 4 singles, and Jenna Jackson pulled out a three-set win at No. 3 singles (4-6, 6-4, 6-2).
Emily Mast and Jackson were the lone doubles tandem to win for Grace, easing away for an 8-3 victory at No. 1 doubles.
Volleyball
WINONA LAKE – Grace’s volleyball team was unable to end its drought against Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday in a 3-0 defeat.
The Lady Lancers (12-5, 6-3 Crossroads League) could not find their rhythm on offense. The defense by the Wildcats (7-10, 6-3 CL) held Grace to a .063 hitting percentage. No player for Grace was able to reach double-digit kills.
As a team, IWU had 47 kills on a .220 percentage, and Grace was stifled into 25 kills.
In the opening set, IWU quickly opened up a 10-5 lead, and Grace never rallied. The Lady Lancers had seven kills and seven errors in the set, losing 25-14.
The Wildcats blew open the second set midway through with a 12-3 run, and Grace lost 25-18.
Grace started to build momentum in the third set after claiming an early 12-7 lead. Kelsee Zuidema had back-to-back aces, and Teel aced another to spark Grace.
The Lady Lancers still led 15-10, but IWU responded with a pair of 5-0 runs to stun the hosts.
Teel did her best to keep Grace’s hopes alive with a kill and a block on consecutive points, but the Wildcats pulled away 25-20 to end the match.
Alexa Hill had a double-double with 24 assists and 10 digs, Teel added five kills, 10 digs and three block assists, and Gina Novotny recorded a team-high 15 digs.
The Lady Lancers continue league play Wednesday at Spring Arbor.
The Lancers (6-4, 4-3 Crossroads League) took two of the three doubles points to claim momentum. Max Rozas and Caleb Yoder did not surrender a game at No. 2 doubles (8-0), and Jacob Gray and Conner Bates held on for an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.
Pavle Popovic dominated with a 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 2 singles, and Max Rozas also coasted to a 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles.
Yoder earned the match-clinching fifth point for Grace, winning at No. 6 singles (6-0, 6-7, 6-3), and Gray battled to a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles.
“We had a last-minute lineup change as Lucas’ shoulder was not well, but Caleb Yoder stepped up great for us. He won singles in three sets to earn our fifth point of the match,” said Grace head coach Andy Lewis. “Max and Pavle again showed the way with decisive wins at No. 1 and 2 singles.”
The Lancers have two league matches remaining this week, both on the road. Grace plays at Marian on Tuesday and at Spring Arbor on Thursday.
Women’s Tennis
UPLAND – Grace's women's tennis team locked up a high seed in the Crossroads League courtesy of a 5-4 win at Taylor on Saturday.
The Lady Lancers (9-2, 6-2 CL) can finish no worse than tied for third place in the league standings with one match remaining. Grace can jump up to No. 2 in the CL by upsetting Marian on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
Grace's best league finish in program history was in 2008 when the team placed third. The Lady Lancers are also well in reach of the program record for single-season wins of 11. Grace has five regular season matches to play, along with the upcoming CL Tournament.
Saturday's match started with singles play. Emily Mast made quick work of her opponent at No. 1 singles with a 6-2, 6-2 scoreline, and Molly Fitzpatrick won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 5 singles.
Jayna Armstrong battled to a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 4 singles, and Jenna Jackson pulled out a three-set win at No. 3 singles (4-6, 6-4, 6-2).
Emily Mast and Jackson were the lone doubles tandem to win for Grace, easing away for an 8-3 victory at No. 1 doubles.
Volleyball
WINONA LAKE – Grace’s volleyball team was unable to end its drought against Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday in a 3-0 defeat.
The Lady Lancers (12-5, 6-3 Crossroads League) could not find their rhythm on offense. The defense by the Wildcats (7-10, 6-3 CL) held Grace to a .063 hitting percentage. No player for Grace was able to reach double-digit kills.
As a team, IWU had 47 kills on a .220 percentage, and Grace was stifled into 25 kills.
In the opening set, IWU quickly opened up a 10-5 lead, and Grace never rallied. The Lady Lancers had seven kills and seven errors in the set, losing 25-14.
The Wildcats blew open the second set midway through with a 12-3 run, and Grace lost 25-18.
Grace started to build momentum in the third set after claiming an early 12-7 lead. Kelsee Zuidema had back-to-back aces, and Teel aced another to spark Grace.
The Lady Lancers still led 15-10, but IWU responded with a pair of 5-0 runs to stun the hosts.
Teel did her best to keep Grace’s hopes alive with a kill and a block on consecutive points, but the Wildcats pulled away 25-20 to end the match.
Alexa Hill had a double-double with 24 assists and 10 digs, Teel added five kills, 10 digs and three block assists, and Gina Novotny recorded a team-high 15 digs.
The Lady Lancers continue league play Wednesday at Spring Arbor.
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