SALINA — The doubles matches proved to the difference for the Barton men’s tennis team.
The Cougars split singles matches in Salina against Kansas Wesleyan but were swept in the doubles, losing the match, 6-3.
The Cougars top two singles players earned wins. Marcel Miasato defeated Mario Rinon at No. 1, 6-2, 7-5 while Yordi Ponce battled to a tie-breaking win at No. 2. Ponce won the first set 7-6(4) then fell 6-2 in the second set. He won the tie-breaker, 7-4, over Luckian Campos.
Those two were not as successful in doubles, though, losing 8-4 to Rinon and Felix Diaz.
“Marcel and Yordi didn’t play particularly well in doubles, but, they both were brilliant in their singles matches,” Coach Stickney said.
The other win in singles came at No. 6 where Tinashe Muzenyi won 6-2, 6-3 over Kyle Rice.
“Tinashe picked up a nice win at number six singles,” Coach Stickney said “That strengthened his hold at that spot. We have three guys trying to make the top six.”
Jack Peoples gave a good battle at No. 4 singles, losing 7-6(4) and 6-4 to Diaz. The No. 3 doubles team of Thales Machado and Muzenyi also lost a hard-fought battle, 9-7 to Luis Soto and Rice.
Miguel Valle and Peoples were beaten at No. 2 doubles, 8-1. Valle lost 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles and Machado lost 6-0, 6-0 at No 5 singles.
“All in all I was satisfied with the way our entire team played,” Coach Stickney said. “Miguel really struggled today. I think he will rebound from that.
“Perhaps he was thinking about the post-match buffet and not focusing on tennis,” Coach Stickney joked.
The Cougars, ranked No. 18 in the NJCAA, will have their hands full Monday when they travel to Seward to take the No. 3 ranked Saints.

Kansas Wesleyan 6, Barton 3
Singles
1 – Marcel Miastao, Barton, def Mario Rinon, 6-2, 7-5
2 – Yordi Ponce, Barton, def Luckian Campos, 7-6(4), 2-6, (4)
3 – Miguel Valle, Barton, lost to Michael Moody, 6-0, 6-1
4 – Jack Peoples, Barton, lost to Felix Diaz, 7-6 (4), 6-4
5 – Thales Machado, Barton, lost to Luis Soto, 6-0, 6-0
6 – Tinashe Muzenyi, Barton, def Kyle Rice, 6-2, 6-3

Doubles
1 – Miastao/Ponce, Barton, lost to Rincon/Diaz, 8-4
2 – Valle/Peoples, Barton, lost to Moody/Campos, 8-1
3 – Machado/Muzenyi, Barton, lost to Soto/Rice, 9-7