Tiger Cubs drop rain-shortened match to Patriots

Greencastle's boys' tennis squad celebrated senior night at their match at home against potential sectional opponent Owen Valley Thursday night.

Seniors Kaden Faust, A.J. Gerard and Cy Spencer were the honorees as the evening began before match play began.

The night was dampened on two fronts. The Patriots took the No. 2 doubles match 6-1 and 6-2 while they won the first set in three of the other four matches.

Rain then ended play as Greencastle conceded the contest to the visitors, trailing in all but the No. 2 singles match, where Faust was leading by one set to none.

While it was not the way the squad had hoped to celebrate senior night, head coach Brad Key said that things were looking better before rain halted play.

"A.J. and Cy started off a little slow, but it looked like they were battling back. They we're playing two pretty good guys, two big guys, but the good thing is that we could possibly see them again in a week, and, if they work on some things, you never know what could happen," Key said.

"Landon Miller was also battling back. He was playing a pretty solid No. 1 and Landon was starting to figure out some of the things he needed to do differently. Mike Waddle was tied two apiece when it started to rain, so he had a shot at his set as well.

"Kaden Faust looker really good at two singles. He and Landon have been playing a lot in practice. It's been fun watching them drill with each other and talk about what they want to work on," Key added.

Greencastle has one final match before the sectional begins next week, a Saturday match with Danville.

"It's going to be a tune-up match so that we are playing our best heading into the sectional," Key said.

Though the night was cut short, along with the past few matches, Key said the team was beginning to show that they were almost ready for the sectional.

"We had a match last night at Linton-Stockton, which is a while away. We saw some good things in that match in terms of how Landon played and how Kaden battled," Key said.

"It's been a fun year. The bus ride back from Linton was probably one of the most entertaining rides we've had. It's a good group of guys to be around. We're getting better at tennis, but more importantly, we're enjoying the sport of tennis," Key added.

"I tell people all the time you play sports because they are fun. Hopefully, we'll end the year on a high note and go into sectional and see what we can do."

At Greencastle

Owen Valley 4, Greencastle 1 (Conceded)

Results

No. 1 Singles: Norman (OV) def. Miller (G) 6-0 (retired)

No. 2 Singles: Faust (G) def. Carey (OV) 6-2 (retired)

No. 3 Singles: Henson (OV) def. Waddle (G) 6-4 (retired)

No. 1 Doubles: Vest/Worland (OV) def. Gerard/Spencer (G) 6-2 (retired)

No. 2 Doubles: McHaley/Woodruff (OV) def. Asbell/Ummel (G) 6-1, 6-2

Next match -- Greencastle travels to Danville Saturday.