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Eagles open boys' tennis season
In its first home match of the season, South Putnam's boys' tennis team looked to build on its showing at the Viking Invitational as they hosted Northview Thursday night.
Josh Stuart picked a tiebreak win at No. 2 singles but that would be the only win on the night for the Eagles as they fell to the Knights 4-1.
South Putnam head coach Zach Love said the boys put in a strong effort against a solid Northview squad.
"I thought we competed well," Love said. "Northview has a very good program and they have a very good squad this year.
"We were a little overmatched in a couple of places but we competed well and I'm proud of our effort. I'm optimistic we can fix a few things and turn some losses around."
Stuart won 6-4 4-6 (12-10) over Northview's Ethan Linton for the Eagles' sole win of the evening.
The South Putnam junior rallied from deficits of 2-6 and 5-8 and trailed 9-10 before winning the last three points to secure the match.
Love said that getting a win would be a relief for Stuart.
"In our first couple of matches this year, Josh was a little frustrated," Love noted. "It was good to see him bounce back against a really tough opponent.
"He came out and played some consistent tennis and ended up on the right side of things tonight."
Collin Berry fell in No. 1 singles action 6-2 6-1 to Gaddis Baysinger while Aaron Cole lost 7-5 6-2 to Bryce Minor at No. 3 singles.
Damon Bass and Nick Sacopulos made quick work of Eagle seniors Ben Albright and Zane Crosby at No. 1 doubles, winning 6-0 6-1 while Nick Chambers and Jacob Lorimer fell at No. 2 doubles 6-2 6-4 to Nick Ganly and Brenden Ellis.
Love said that after their play at the Viking Invitational, the doubles' squads would have been looking for better results.
"Doubles wise, we have some room for improvement," Love said. "They played really well in our first weekend out but didn't have the performance tonight they were looking for.
"I think the mistakes that were made are correctible and hopefully next time out, there will be a better outcome for them."
"Collin played well against a tough opponent," Love added. "He came up short tonight but he's been playing some consistent tennis for us.
"Aaron had a great first set and was right there but just ran out of gas in the second set."
The Eagles have a week to prepare for Turkey Run next Thursday and Love said that, having already seen the Warriors at the Viking Invitational, strong starts would be a key factor in the match.
"We played several of the Turkey Run guys at the Viking Invitational so we're a little familiar with them," Love noted. "They're going to come our ready to go.
"Collin played their number one pretty well the first time around. I'm optimistic about next week and hopefully we come out ready to play."
In JV action, Ian Douglass and Dylan Drawbaugh won in doubles competition over Clayton Buck and Jalen Satterfield 8-1.
Douglass and Noah Emmerick fell in singles competition, as did the doubles team of Ryan Cole and Matthew Burns.
At South Putnam
Northview 4, South Putnam 1
No. 1 Singles -- Baysinger (N) def. Berry (SP) 6-2 6-1
No. 2 Singles -- Stuart (SP) def. Linton (N) 6-4 4-6 (12-10)
No. 3 Singles -- Minor (N) def. Cole (SP) 7-5 6-2
No. 1 Doubles -- Bass/Sacopulos (N) def. Albright/Crosby (SP) 6-0 6-1
No. 2 Doubles -- Ganly/Ellis (N) def. Chambers/Lorimer (SP) 6-2 6-4
Junior Varsity
No. 1 Singes -- Weaver (N) def. Douglass (SP) 8-0
No. 2 Singles -- Kendall (N) def. Emmerick (SP) 8-1
No. 1 Doubles -- Douglass/Drawbaugh (SP) def. Buck/Satterfield 8-1
No. 2 Doubles -- Kuhn/Wilson (N) def. Burns/Cole (SP) 8-2
Next Match: South Putnam (0-1) hosts Turkey Run next Thursday.