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Gerard, Spencer grab lone GHS win
By CAINE GARDNER
Sports Editor
GREENCASTLE -- On Wednesday, the GHS boys' tennis team hosted Northview and the youthful team struggled with the Knights. Greencastle lost the match 4-1, with its lone win coming in the No. 2 doubles match.
Greencastle head coach Sara Zirnheld was optimistic following the match. Despite her team's loss, she sees the desire they have to improve and knows eventually that commitment will translate into positive things for the Tiger Cubs.
"As always, they come out with great attitude and I can't ask for more than that," Zirnheld said. "We work hard everyday at practice. We're improving, even within that two-hour span, something improves in every player.
"It's hard for them to not get down on themselves in matches where they play against really good teams like this," she added. "At the same time, they're still improving as players. In the grand scheme of things, that's what I'm more worried about. Them improving daily instead of necessarily worrying about the one-on-one scores."
The highlight of the match for GHS was the No. 2 doubles play of A.J. Gerard and Cy Spencer. After battling to win the first set 7-5, Gerard and Spencer took charge and easily won the second set 6-0.
The duo was able to use superb court awareness to work seamlessly together and come away with the win. With Gerard manning the net, Spencer was able to gain control with his serve and closed out the match with a zippy backhand the Northview players were unable to return.
Zirnheld also noticed the play of her No. 2 doubles team and believes that things might be taking hold in the program.
"It's nice to see them moving together as a team and I think that every once in a while it's clicking for them. They are understanding the dynamics of doubles," she said.
Greencastle struggled in singles play. GHS was able to muster just three game wins, but continue to show strides in their game.
Joey Kass dropped his No. 1 singles match to Carson Kleiber 6-0 and 6-0, while Landon Miller fell to Caleb Mershon 6-0 and 6-1. Ben Wilson took two games in the first set, but fell to Trent Sims 6-2 and 6-0.
The No.1 doubles team of Kenny Buchanan and Matt Hendrich came up short against Caleb Andrews and Joey Thomas. The duo fell 6-3 and 6-0.
As the season wears on, Zirnheld is simply looking for improvement and so far that's what she's getting. She wants them to be excited about taking to the courts and continue to strive to keep improving.
The Tiger Cubs will travel to North Montgomery tonight for a 5 p.m. start.
At Greencastle
Northview 4, Greencastle 1
Singles
1. Kleiber (NV) def. Kass (GHS) 6-0, 6-0; 2. Mershon (NV) def. Miller (GHS) 6-0, 6-1; 3. Sims def. Wilson (GHS) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles
1. Andrews/Thomas (NV) def. Buchanan/Hendrich (GHS) 6-3, 6-0; 2. Gerard/Spencer (GHS) def. Eaglin/Travis (NV) 7-5, 6-0
Next match -- The Tiger Cubs will travel to North Montgomery tonight for a 5 p.m. start.