Greencastle tennis falls to Northview in sectional opener

Friday, September 28, 2007

BRAZIL -- The Greencastle Tiger Cubs won both of the evening's most exciting matches but weren't able to pick up the decisive match win against host Northview in the Thursday's postponed tennis sectional.

Both Brennan Burks and Eric Warren went the distance in matches that left both the fans and players exhausted but happy with three-match victories.

Burks lost the first set against Northview's Adam Clark, but rebounded with back-to-back set wins for a 6-7, (4-7), 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Greencastle's Eric Warren sends a return back toward Northview's Clint Reynolds in their epic three-hour match. Warren won 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4.

Warren's match went approximately three hours in length, but was well worth the wait as he came back from match point to earn a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3) win against Clint Reynolds of the Knights.

"Eric will fight until there is nothing left," said Tiger Cubs' coach Terry Ross. "(Warren and Burks) really fought hard tonight and played hard."

Warrren's match was especially exciting after he trailed 5-4 in the third set, but forced a tie-breaker and his extraordinary mobility allowed him to get to nearly every return from the Knights' Clint Reynolds. He finally clinched the win with a strong run in the tiebreak for the victory.

Unfortunately for Greencastle, there just wasn't quite enough of those wins.

Northview scored a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 1 singles by Austin Akers over Sam Hirt and took both doubles matches.

Seth Heithaus and Tayler Fauvergue lost a 1-6, 4-6 decision to Ryne Barr and Matt Nodley while the team of David Cath and Clay Spencer fell in a 5-7, 2-6 match.

"I don't think we played quite as well as we can, but there were some close matches," said Ross. "I thought our No. 1 doubles team battled hard against a good Northview team."

The Knights will continue on to face the Linton Miners, who got a 3-2 victory over Owen Valley in match one of the night. The championship match is at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

At Northview Tennis Sectional

Match One

Linton 3, Owen Valley 2

Singles

No. 1: George Fritch (Ln) wins, 6-0, 6-1 over Jordan Truax (OV)

No. 2: Seth Herndon (Ln) wins, 6-0, 6-1 over Adam Wilson (OV)

No. 3: Bryan Redenbarger (OV) wins 6-7 (6-8), 6-0, 6-3, over Kris Shipman (Ln)

Doubles

No. 1: Merrick McBride/Chase Rhoten (Ln) win, 6-3, 6-3 over Randy Leintz/Camren Babbs (OV)

No. 2: Raymond Ames/Ethan Hoadley (OV) win, 6-2, 6-3, over Kyle Cooper/Luke Knight (Ln)

Match Two

Northview 3, Greencastle 2

Singles

No.1: Austin Akers (Nv) wins, 6-2, 6-4, over Sam Hirt (GC)

No. 2: Brennan Burks (GC) wins, 6-7 (4-7) 6-4, 6-4 over Adam Clark (Nv)

No. 3: Eric Warren (GC) wins 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3) over Clint Reynolds (Nv)

Doubles

No. 1: Ryne Barr/Matt Nodley (Nv) win, 6-1, 6-4 over Seth Heithaus/Tayler Fauvergue (GC)

No. 2: Brock Lawson/Caleb Mershon (Nv) win, 7-5, 6-2 over David Cath/Clay Spencer (GC)

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