Omaha÷The Lincoln East boysâ tennis teamâs "strive for five" was a bumpy ride at the Class A state tournament Friday indoors at the Hanscorn Tennis Center.

One the surface, it looked as though the Spartans had smooth sailing to their fifth straight state title, which ties a state record.

East scored 49 1/2 team points with undefeated state champions in two divisions÷seniors Scott Tricker and Matt Roth (29-0) in No.1 doubles and sophomores Sam Nelson (28-0) at No.2 singles. Chad Van Horn and the team of Jeremy Sand and Kelsay Moran contributed thrid-place finishes at No.1 singles and No.2 doubles, respectivley, for the Spartans.

Millard South, led by No.1 singles champion Ryan Fuhrer, was second with 44 points, followed by Omaha Westside with 36 and Lincoln High with 27.

THE FACT IS, however, Millard South came one point on the court from winning the team title. The Indiansâ Jay Bemis and Chaz Kuper had two match points against Tricker and Roth in the second set of their semifinal match Friday morning before the East duo pulled out a 6-4,6-7,6-2 win.

That wouldâve been a swing of eight team points, enough to give Millard South the team title. Tricker and Roth went on to defeat Omaha Westsideâs Trystan Crook and Brad Copple in the final 6-4,6-7,6-2.

"This was the most satisfying accomplishment of my coaching career," said East Coach Jeff Hoham, who made "Strive for Five" the Spartansâ theme this season. "It started yesterday with our No.2 doubles, (Moran and Sand) beating Papillionsâs (best) doubles team that dropped down for state and carried over to today."

"It all came down to our Înever-lose, never-say-dieâ attitude. We have talent, but we also have guys who refuse to quit when theyâre down."

TRICKER ADMITTED he had a "deep fear" when Millard South held match points ahead 5-3 in the second set.

"Up to that point, we were flat and taking things for granted," he said. "Basically, our attitude was, ÎWeâre seniors; itâs either now or never.â"

Roth said he thought the close call in the semifinals helped relax them for the final.

"We werenât as tight or nervous as we were in the morning," Roth said. "We played our aggressive power game in the finals."

Nelson, however, didnât feel the same. In his final, he dropped the first set against Millard Southâs Antonio Salazer before taking a 3-6,6-2,62 triumph.

"I was real nervous in the first set," Nelson said. "He played real well, and I kept playing to his strength. I didnât realize it until I lost the first set and was behind in the second."

EAST IS THE ONLY school to win five straight titles since the state tournament format was changed to two singles and two doubles divisions