MUS Sports News

Soccer and Tennis Start Postseason Run

Both the soccer and tennis teams are kicking off the postseason in the same position -- defending state champions.  The tennis squad is a little more familiar with the role, winning six of the past seven years, while the soccer team’s title was only its second ever.  Both teams had great regular seasons once again this year, each suffering only two losses.

The soccer team kicked off its postseason with an astounding 8-0 victory over regional-tournament opponent St. Benedict as they advanced to the semifinals against ECS.

With a berth in the state tournament going to the winner, MUS claimed their spot with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the Eagles.  Though the Owls lost in the regional final against CBHS, 3-1, MUS still has the two-seed from the West and will look to defend their crown at Mike Rose starting next week.

The tennis team is also looking forward to state competition with their regional individual competition complete.  The Owls have already established momentum with their 1st-place finish in the regional team tournament.  They also dominated the individual tournament with two all-MUS finals.  Alex Guyton and Bo Ladyman won the doubles title, defeating Watson George and Worth Morgan, and sophomore William Lang took the singles title with a win over junior Spencer Heflin.

Both teams have established enough dominance in their regular seasons to be legitimate contenders for state titles.  However, with soccer squads like CBHS and Knoxville Webb and with tennis giants Baylor and McCallie, the roads for both teams will be difficult.  But Coach Vincent Beck and Coach Bill Taylor look forward to the challenge and are confident in their squads.

Diamond Owls Complete Record Season

The 2005 Diamond Owls posted the one of the best seasons in school history, finishing in first place in the 2005 Pepsi Challenge and as the runners-up in league play.  The team earned 24 wins, the second most in school history, which included victories over CBHS, Germantown, Bartlett, ECS, and Briarcrest.

“It was an exciting and memorable year,” Head Coach Marc MacMillan said. “When you beat schools like CBHS, Germantown, Bartlett, and Cordova, you know you are picking up quality wins. Such experience allowed us to have additional success in our division against rivals Briarcrest, ECS, and Harding.”

After starting the year 5-0, the Diamond Owls entered division play with energy and momentum and continued their winning streak, 6-0. Following losses to CBHS and ECS, the Owls finished at 8-2 and earned the number two seed in the D2 West Tennessee Regional Tournament. With expectations high, the Owls unfortunately dropped their first two games to end their historic year.

“We accomplished our goal for the regular season, and although I feel this team deserved a better ending, we just didn’t earn it,” said Coach MacMillan. “While our final losses may leave a bitter taste now, I feel these players will be able to look back and appreciate their hard work and accomplishments in due time. I just can’t say enough about this group of boys and the fine season they put together.”

The Diamond Owls finished the season with an overall record of 24-12. Although the team will lose seniors David Delugach, Warren Grimm, Michael Haas, Mason Mosby, Rob Park, and Brent Phillips, 12 letterman will return in hopes of building on their 2005 success.

Owl Tennis Takes Team Regionals

Last week, the MUS varsity tennis team competed in the Regional Tournament to qualify for state competition.  In this stage of the postseason, teams compete with five singles matches and three doubles matches; the first team to win five of those matches wins that round.

The Owls opened with Briarcrest in the semifinals at MUS last Tuesday.  Quickly winning the five singles matches, the Owls easily defeated the Saints and advanced to the regional finals.  Looking for their tenth consecutive region team title, the Owls then faced CBHS and completed a sweep of the tournament with another 5-0 shutout.

In their impressive regional win, the Owls were led by seniors Bo Ladyman and Alex Guyton and junior Spencer Heflin as their top three singles players.  The Owls will carry their momentum from team regionals into individual regional competition, which begins Monday, May 9, at MUS. 

With an excellent regular season, the Owls are looking ahead to the State Tournament where they may face tough opponents in Baylor and McCallie, but head coach Bill Taylor likes the Owls’ chances if they can stay healthy.

Mosby Commits To Rhodes College

Mason Mosby '04, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marlin L. Mosby, III, committed to play football and baseball for the Rhodes College Lynx. The senior’s ability to excel in multiple positions has been a great strength for the Owls on both the baseball diamond and the football field.

As a linebacker and former tight end for the varsity football team, Mosby led the defense all season and was named the defensive MVP of the 2004 State Championship game. Mosby also played first and third base for the varsity baseball team his sophomore and junior years, but boosted the strength of the Diamond Owls' infield at shortstop this past season. Hitting over .400 for the year, he was a force at the plate as well. 

“We are very excited that Mason will continue to play football at Rhodes,” said Head Football Coach Bobby Alston. “He is a great football player and someone who excellently portrays all of those character traits we expect from an MUS man.”

Head Baseball Coach Marc MacMillan echoed Alston’s assessment: “Rhodes is getting a scholar and a highly self-motivated athlete who has made a significant contribution to MUS athletics by participating in both football and baseball. I am very excited for Mason and his family as Rhodes will provide him with the opportunity to continue to maintain his high standards of academic performance and athletic competition.”

Following a formal signing with members of the Rhodes coaching staff, Mosby voiced his enthusiasm: “I’m really excited to be able to play baseball and football at Rhodes,” he said. “The overall quality of the school is excellent, and I’m looking forward to outstanding academic and athletic experiences.”

Tennis Team Readies For Postseason

The varsity tennis Owls have been taking the court since March when they began their season in the same manner in which they had finished – on top.  The tennis program at MUS has always been one of the strongest sports organizations within the school and region.  This year is no different as the Owls continue to dominate the West Tennessee tennis scene.  The Owls opened their season with eight straight shutout wins over area contenders such as CBHS, Jackson Prep, ECS, and other opponents.

The Owls' scoreboard perfection propelled them into one of the larger prep tournaments in the south, the Buckhead Rotary Tournament in Atlanta.  MUS had taken first in Atlanta for the past three years, establishing the level of expectation to defend their title once again this year.  However, the Owls suffered an untimely loss in the second round to Marist (GA) 3-1.

Now the tennis squad is preparing and regaining confidence as they look to the postseason.  After having finished second in the Francis E. Carter Tournament, which they won in 1999 and 2000, in Nashville this past weekend, the team hopes that they can bring back the winning trends and gain momentum for the impending postseason.  Good luck to Coach Taylor and the tennis team.