SAN ANTONIO — In the semifinal round of the Heartland Conference Championship Tournament, St. Mary's Men's Tennis' sole senior
Carlos Olea had to sit out due to illness.
On Saturday, the senior made a charging comeback, slicing through his competition in the championship title match against St. Edward's in his career finale.
In a clash of nationally ranked squads, No. 27 St. Mary's dropped the title match in a heartbreaker to No. 26 St. Edward's in a highly contested match, 5-3.
The three-hour showdown pitted a young Rattler team, consisting of four freshmen, one sophomore and one senior against an experienced Hilltopper squad in a match that came down to the wire that was nearly decided by the final match.
Olea (Matamoros, Mexico) quickly downed his opponent on the No. 5 singles court, winning a statement 6-2, 6-2 to give the Rattlers' their second point for the match.
Freshman
Bob Resink (Hoogeveen, Netherlands) picked the Rattlers' final point on the day, winning his No. 3 singles match 6-4, 6-3.
The Rattlers went into singles play down 2-1 after doubles with Resink and
Brien Galon (So., San Antonio) coming out victorious 8-6 on the No. 3 doubles court.
Olea and Resink picked up quick singles points after freshman Phillip Raickovic (Kurallee, Germany) was retired at No. 1 singles to make the score even at 3-3.
The Hilltoppers were in need of only one more point after winning No. 4 singles against sophomore
Matt Banner (Mason, Texas) in a situation that had No. 2 singles
Michael Maciel (Fr., Sugar Land, Texas) in an extended battle that was in its third set.
But the Hilltoppers were able to finish their final point first, winning on No. 6 singles to end the match 5-3.
The Rattlers' hard-fought championship title match ended their season 12-10 with the program's highest national rank at No. 27.
