Solid Singles Pace Penn Past Tigers
MISHAWAKA – Both Warsaw boys tennis coach Rick Orban and Penn coach Eric Bowers referred to the singles lineup of the Kingsmen as “solid” Thursday night.
The pair, understandably so in coach speak, understated the obvious.
Their stellar singles lineup carried the Kingsmen past a shorthanded Tiger team by a 5-0 count at Penn.
The hosts, who beat Warsaw 4-1 during the regular season and then 5-0 in a semi state match in 2013, reigned supreme in their season opener just before the skies rained down on the match.
Warsaw, which drops to 1-1, was without standout Sam Rice. The senior, who played No. 1 singles in the season finale loss to Penn last year, is sidelined due to an illness.
Rice or no Rice, Penn’s simply sensational singles trio of seniors Michael Yang and Jacob Macri at No. 1 and 2 and sophomore Stewart Feeley at No. 3 were not to be slowed down versus the Tigers.
The threesome, which played in the same spots last year, lost a grand total of seven games Thursday evening.
Orban, despite the final outcome, was in no way discouraged.
“Their singles lineup is as solid as a rock,” said Orban. “But, I saw everything I wanted to from my guys tonight. I wanted to see if they were going to hang their heads or battle. I’m proud of how they competed.
“It’s tough without Sam with the others having to play a level up, but you just have to step up. I know that we will improve as the season goes on.”
Feeley put the first Penn point on the final stat sheet with a 6-0, 6-0 win over sophomore Ryan Wettschurak at No. 3. Maci then stopped sophomore Andrew Gauger 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2 before Yang completed the sweep by downing senior Nic Jansen 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1.
The Kingsmen notched the shutout, just before the downpour came, as senior Brendan Butler and sophomore Mason Lee beat junior Christopher Herendeen and sophomore Justin Stout 6-3, 6-4 at No. 1 doubles and juniors Tim Porsche and Thomas Gifford bested seniors Caleb Ray and Cole Baker 6-4, 6-2.
“Nic never gave up and never hung his head,” noted Orban. “Andrew made his opponent work in his match. We were close in both doubles matches too.”
Penn graduated just two seniors from its’ 21-4 team of a year ago which lost in the quarterfinals at State. Warsaw saw four seniors depart from their lineup from a 14-6 squad.
“Our singles are solid and the key to our success this year,” said Penn coach Eric Bowers. “I’ve challenged them on how far they want to take us this year. I know they were tired of beating up on each other at practice, so it was good for them to finally play someone else.
“I was really happy with how Tim and Thomas fought at No. 2 in their first-ever varsity match. Our No. 1 doubles team, which played at No. 2 last year for us, pulled out games at the end. Warsaw has solid doubles teams.”
Warsaw (1-1) hosts Mishawaka Marian Monday. Penn (1-0) plays at Concord Tuesday.