James Steward won his 105th and 106th career matches in the OAC semifinals, but JCU's season would still come to an end
Box Score
The 2009 season came to end for the John Carroll men's tennis team, as an early 3-1 lead evaporated into a 5-3 Ohio Northern victory in the semfinal round of the 2009 Ohio Athletic Conference Championship Friday at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
JCU won two of the three doubles matches, as James Steward and Mike Finissi defeated Jeff Carter and Chris Dohner at the #2 spot (8-4), while the #3 match went to Ross Venzke and Mike Huelsman, 9-7 winners over Jay Vaidya and Matt Dutro.
In singles play, however, the tide would turn. After Steward won in straight sets at #1 singles, the Polar Bears would rattle of four consecutive straight set wins in the #, #4, #5 and #6 matches to seal the victory. Chad Ruehs was winning his #2 singles bout when the match was halted.
Steward finishes his distinguised John Carroll career with 106 total wins, 56 in singles play and 50 in doubles. He is second all-time at John Carroll in all three categories to Bryan Mohler (1966-99), the school record holder in career singles wins (65), doubles wins (55) and total wins (120).
The Blue Streaks end the 2008-09 campaign with a record of 11-10.
