Maharishi School blows past Ottumwa in boys? tennis

Maharishi School continued its winning ways Monday with an 8-1 victory over Ottumwa in Fairfield.

The Pioneers, who improved to 7-0 in duals with the win, kicked off the day with five match wins in singles play before sweeping Ottumwa 3-0 in doubles matches.

Sam Stickels earned a 6-3, 6-3 win over Ottumwa?s Steve Ray at No. 1 singles, and No. 3 Raphael Gelfand cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 victory. No. 4 Surya Sawhney (6-1, 6-2), No. 5 Chandre Morales (6-2, 6-1) and No. 6 Girindra Selleck (6-2, 6-1) also won handily in singles action.

Stickels and Gelfand were just as effective together as alone and won 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 doubles. Maharishi School?s No. 2 doubles team of Surya Sawhney and Girindra Selleck won by a final score of 6-4, 6-2, and Solaris Nite and Chandre Morales teamed up for a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 3.

Avery Mullenneaux won 6-0, 6-0 and Daniel Pirc posted a 6-2, 6-0 victory in JV play.

Ottumwa?s lone victory came from Zach Ray at No. 2 singles. Ray topped Nite by scores of 6-3 and 6-2.

?I was especially satisfied with how the lower half of the lineup played (Nos. 4-6). Ottumwa?s boys played well, but our guys went out in business-like fashion and played with poise and focus. That?s what we need at this point in the season. I was pleased,? said Steve Briggs, Maharishi School?s first-year coach.

The Pioneers head to Fort Madison in search of win No. 8 today.