MSAE boys get past president, Burlington

BURLINGTON ? President Obama did what he could to slow down Maharishi School boys? tennis team, but predictably, the Pioneers didn?t miss a beat.

Traveling through southeast Iowa Tuesday, the commander-in-chief?s motorcade caused traffic ? including the MSAE team van ? to be blocked off for a half hour while passing through Mount Pleasant. The delay made the Pioneers a few minutes late for their match in Burlington, but upon stepping out of the van, order was restored and MSAE ran away from the Grayhounds with a 9-0 victory.

Joseph Gelfand, Derek Thatcher, Sam Arsanjani, Jay Stewart and Raphael Gelfand all won singles matches in straight sets for the Pioneers while Thomas Weiss outdueled Burlington?s Scott Eibes at No. 1. Weiss dug down to win his third set super tiebreaker 10-7 to take the match after the two split the first two sets.

?Thomas covered the court impressively and really displayed uncommon poise for a sophomore to come out with a win,? said MSAE head coach Lawrence Eyre.

Weiss found a much easier road at No. 1 doubles along with teammate Joseph Gelfand posting a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Derek Thatcher and Sam Arsanjani also won 6-2, 6-1 while Jay Stewart and Raphael Gelfand posted a 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 3.

The win moves MSAE to 5-0 on the season in dual matches as it prepares for its home invite Saturday. The Pioneers will host West Burlington-Notre Dame, Albia, Davis County and Fairfield with matches played on their home courts as well as the FHS courts behind Fairfield Middle School.