Newman faced three nationally ranked opponents in the three matches they played away from home this past weekend. Their first opponent was number twenty-nine, Southeastern Oklahoma State. The Jets battled and were close to achieving an upset, but the Savage Storms didn't allow them any big chances to come back.
The Jets continued their conference play with a matchup against the twenty fifth ranked Southern Arkansas Muleriders. Despite a big difference in the scoreboard, the Jets had chances to score up to three points.
In their last match of the away trip, the boys played the Ouachita Baptist Tigers who were ranked number eleven in the country, with two nationally ranked doubles partners, and multiple ranked players. The Jets started the match hot and were able to compete in multiple matches against one of the best teams in the country.
Match 1:
The Savage Storms took the first point of the match after winning all three doubles matches. Partners Luca Penteado and Andrea Bramati competed very well and didn't go down easily as they forced their opponents to beat them 4-6.
Almost every match was battled until the end.
Ali Mounir lost his match to the number thirty six player in the country. Despite losing in two sets, Mounir pushed his opponent to the limit forcing a seventh game in the first set, and only losing the second set 4-6.
Kurt Bruckner, who was ranked forty one in the country last week, won his match in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 showing the great form he's in and continuing to deliver pints for the Jets.
Isfan Makhmudov won with an unchallenged 6-2, 6-4 final result. Makhmudov has played great tennis since he returned to singles play for Newman.
Penteado lost a very close 5-7, 5-7 match where both sets could have gone either way.
Andrea Torrini attempted to come back in the second set after losing the first one 4-6, and was almost successful as he lost the second set in a tie break.
Match 2:
The Muleriders got the doubles point after some very competitive doubles matches. Partners Isfan Makhmudov and Kurt Bruckner won their doubles match, and Luca Penteado and Andrea Bramati fought incredibly hard in a 6-7 loss that gave the doubles point to the Muleriders.
Ali Mounir battled in a three set game with the number fifty four player in the country. After losing the first set in a tie breaker, Ali went on to win the second set with a dominant 6-4. Mounir wasn't able to complete the comeback as he lost in an unlucky third set super tie break 6-10.
Isfan Makhmudov delivered another great performance for the Jets winning the first set 7-6, and fighting with his opponent all the way until the third set super tiebreaker. Even though he wasn't able to get the win, Isfan displayed a very high quality of tennis.
Match 3:
Newman faced the number eleven team in the country, Ouachita Baptist in their last match of the trip. The Jets accepted the challenge and started the match in the best possible way, winning the doubles point.
Isfan Makhmudov and Kurt Bruckner beat the number six doubles partners in the country in an incredibly competitive 7-6 win. Luca Penteado and Andrea Bramati continued their great form as doubles partners winning their match 6-3 and claiming the doubles point for the Jets.
Ali Mounir completed a very competitive weekend and showed again the high level of tennis he can play by beating the number thirty one in the country in a three set match. After losing the first set, Mounir was able to stay mentally strong and bounce back, winning the next two sets in a powerful way.
Isfan Makhmudov competed against the number thirty two in the country, forcing him to win seven games in both sets.
The Jets weren't able to get a win over the weekend but showed that they can compete and even beat the best teams in the country.
Upcoming:
The Jets will travel to Kearney, Nebraska on March 28th to play the University of Nebraska at Kearney for their last away conference match of the season.
