SE Season ends in Narrow Regional Loss

DURANT, Okla. – No. 30 Southeastern took two-of-three doubles matches, but was unable to hold off a rally by the host and No. 12-ranked Southwest Baptist as the Savage Storm season came to an end in a dramatic 5-4 loss in the NCAA Regional in Bolivar, Mo.
 
The loss drops SE to 12-8 overall and bring the season to an end in the NCAA tournament for the second time in the last three seasons.
 
The 15^th-ranke doubles duo of Carlos Anez and Ondrej Nice helped the Storm to its strong start by taking down the seventh-ranked pair of Gyorgy Agoston and Ferenc Agoston, 8-6, at the one doubles spot.
 
Danrich Kruger and Sandro Lena followed up with an 8-5 victory at the two position to give SE the edge through doubles play at 2-0, but a narrow, 9-8, loss at the three position made the score 2-1 heading to singles play.
 
SBU would pick up wins at the two and three positions to regain the lead briefly at 3-2, but the Storm had a rally of its own in mind.
 
No. 17-ranked Anez would pull off another upset, this time taking down fifth-ranked Sherif Abohabaga, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to knot the match at 3-3.
 
At the opposite end of the lineup, Jeremy Despont also rallied for a three-set win with a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win to take a 4-3 lead.
 
Unfortunately, a loss at four singles and lastly at five singles would end the Storm hopes for a regional upset, falling 5-4.