NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. – Sophomore Stratton Smith (New Palestine, Ind.) increased his current singles and doubles' win streaks Thursday, April 23, leading Manchester University.

The Spartans, toppling Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Anderson University 8-1 at MU's outdoor courts, stayed in the league postseason tournament picture. They take a 3-8 overall and 2-4 conference mark to Mt. St. Joseph University Friday, April 24, for a pivotal conference dual, as the two teams are tied for the sixth and final postseason championships' slot.

Smith battled past the Ravens' Jacob Hopper for a victory at number two singles. He needed a 10-7 superbreaker to seal his third successive decision after Hopper answered a 7-5 first set loss with a 6-3 second set win. The New Palestine native had opened the afternoon, joining senior Kyle Lahman (North Manchester, Ind.), by defeating AU's top doubles' tandem of Andrew Gingerich and Hopper 8-3. The duo's third straight win helped spark a 3-0 team lead after doubles.

Lahman, fellow senior Alex Winger (Warsaw, Ind.) and freshmen Isaac Collis (Alexandria, Ind.) and Garrett Bear (Indianapolis, Ind.) joined Smith to clinch the dual with singles' victories. Collis, Lahman and Winger were all straight-set winners.

NOTES: Lahman and Smith closed within a win of the .500 mark in doubles play, moving to 5-6 … Freshman Spencer Thomas (Yorktown, Ind.) and Bear both went over .500 in overall doubles, as their win at number two pushed Thomas to 6-5 and Bear to 3-2 … Lahman and Smith take identical 4-7 singles records into Friday's clash at MSJ.