Nov. 5, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Notre Dame senior Stephen Bass (Bronxville, N.Y./Iona Prep School) lost in the semifinals of the 2006 ITA National Indoor Championships at the Racquet Club of Columbus on Saturday.
Bass, ranked No. 21 in the ITA preseason poll, faced a familiar foe. Bass played Steven Moneke of Ohio State. Moneke, who defeated Bass two weeks ago in the ITA Midwest Regional Championships, advanced with a 7-5, 6-3 straight-set victory.
Moneke, a sophomore from lten-Buseck, Germany, has yet to lose a set in four matches this week. He pulled out a tight first set against Bass, saving one set point at 5-4 and rallied for a 7-5 victory. He did not have nearly as much trouble in the second set, winning 6-3.
Bass became the first player from Notre Dame to ever reach the ITA Indoor semifinals.
Junor Sheeva Parbhu (Omaha, Neb./Millard North) dropped his second round consolation match to second-seed Luis Flores of Georgia, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5.
Parbhu and senior Ryan Keckley (South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph’s) captured the consolation doubles title with an 8-5 victoy over Alex Cojanu and Colin O’Brien of William & Mary.
— ND —