Tristan Anderson of Warsaw competes in the first round of the Northern Lakes Conference Boys Tennis Championships Wednesday evening at Culver Academy. InkFreeNews Photo by Dalton Tinklenberg

Huntington Women 4, Grace 3

The 4th-seeded Grace women’s tennis team suffered a disappointing loss in the quarterfinal round of the Crossroads League Tournament, dropping a 4-3 decision to 5th-seeded Huntington. The match was played indoors at the Eastlake Tennis Club in Warsaw.

Grace defeated Huntington 6-0 less than two weeks ago, but that match was much closer than the final score indicated. This time the Foresters started off strong, claiming the important doubles point before winning three singles contests to confirm a spot in the Crossroads League semifinals.

Morgan Mast and Jenna Lewis teamed up to win at No. 3 doubles by a score of 6-3. The pair then won their individual matches, Mast taking No. 3 singles 6-3, 3-6, 10-3, and Lewis winning No. 5 singles 6-4, 6-4. The other victory for the Lancers came at No. 6 singles where Kiersten Martin won 6-1, 6-2.

The match of the day ended up being at No. 1 singles. Lydia Ruegsegger won the first set 7-5 for Grace, but Huntington’s Morgan Fitzpatrick came back to clinch the match by taking the next two sets 7-6, 6-2.

The Lancers will take to the courts again on September 28 when they host Concordia (Mich.).

NLC Championships Underway

The first day of the Northern Lakes Conference Boys Tennis Championships started up Wednesday, although indoors at Culver Academy due to rain at host Plymouth.

Only 10 courts were able to be completed due to the circumstances, which included all of the No. 1 and No. 2 singles courts and two of the four No. 3 courts.

Of the 10 courts, Warsaw, Wawasee and NorthWood had just its No. 1s and No. 2s in action, and only one of the six players won, that being Wil Boren of Warsaw at No. 2, beating Plymouth’s Easton Strain 6-3, 6-1.

Action resumes Thursday, with the same caveat if the weather interferes again. Plymouth will host if played outdoors, but Culver Academy will host if rain washes out outdoor play. The remainder of the No. 3 singles courts will play, along with one and two doubles.
1 Singles
Brendan LaCounte NR def Nic Anderson – NW 6-0, 6-0
Jacob Dixon – Mis def Carter Snyder – Ply 6-1, 6-3
Nathan Schraw – Con def Tristan Anderson – War 7-5, 7-5
Pi Wellington – Gos def Jeb Richey – Waw 6-0, 6-0

2 Singles
Moses Sawatzky – Gos def Wes Steiner – NW 6-1, 6-0
Mitchell Whitehead – Con def Zeke Keim – Waw 6-2, 6-0
Wil Boren – War def Easton Strain – Ply 6-3, 6-1
Brandon Lomas – NR def Aaron Kramer – Mis 6-0, 6-0

3 Singles
Issac Stahly – Gos def Avery Johnson – Con 6-2, 6-0
Matt Peletier – Mis def Martin Baca – Ply 6-4, 7-5