Tiger Cubs boys' tennis team takes down Eagles 4-1

Thursday, September 26, 2013
Greencastle's Jed Fajt hits a backhand during his two-set win against South Putnam's Josh Stewart (not pictured) on Wednesday. Fajt and the Tiger Cubs won the match 4-1. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The Greencastle boys' tennis team won the three matches required for a team victory in quick succession against visiting South Putnam on Wednesday, but there was still some drama left on the courts with No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles playing it out.

The Tiger Cubs team of senior Lucas Eckrich and freshman Nathan Gobert closed out their win over juniors Mason Sollman and Zane Crosby in a second-set tiebreaker 6-3, 7-6 (5), but junior Collin Berry helped the Eagles avoid the sweep by closing out his match against Greencastle junior Christian Ritchey 6-4, 6-1.

"I'm happy with it," GHS coach Samuel Hirt said. "As a team they're probably a little bit stronger this year and it looks like they're on the rise."

South Putnam senior Tyler Long hits a backhand during his match against Jason Ummel (not pictured) as teammates Jake Carmichael (left) and Trey Moore look on. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

The Tiger Cubs picked up wins at No. 1 doubles from juniors Kaleb Flemming and Jake Mangrum (6-2, 6-2 over senior Trey Moore and junior Jake Carmichael), No. 3 singles from junior Jed Fajt (6-0, 6-0 over junior Josh Stewart) and No. 1 singles from junior Jason Ummel (6-2, 6-1 over senior Tyler Long).

It was Ummel's first win as the Tiger Cubs' one.

"Jason played really well," Hirt said. "He got every shot in like I wanted him to."

Berry's win was the only win for the Eagles but it didn't come easy. His style and form varies dramatically from Ritchey and the two traded blows for the first set.

The outcome for the two--a consistent ability to get the ball back and in play--is similar, but the way each gets there is directly opposing.

Ritchey, with smooth, elongated ground strokes and a dramatic first serve, wants to make everything look easy. Berry's game is more compact and reflexive. He hits every ball in front of his body, his arms overlapping to get out of their own way, but he's quick enough to make that unique style possible.

After the close first set, Berry started to play more strategically. Because Ritchey has such a smooth approach, his shots became inconsistent when he was put in a position to unleash power instead of finesse.

By drawing his opponent into the net, or feeding him an apparent bunny to the forehand, Berry was taking Ritchey out of his game. He won the mental battle and a comfortable second set, which is something his coach has preached for his whole team.

"Today was the first time (Berry) has played at 100 percent in a while, so I was pretty happy with the outcome," SPHS coach Zach Love said. "We've got to be more mentally tough. I think in a couple instances today we just got down on our selves. ... That's a little bit frustrating."

The short season will wrap up in the coming weeks for the two schools. Sectionals begin next week and the draws are announced on Monday.

The two coaches are pleased with how they've progressed in the short time since matches began a few weeks ago.

"I'm hoping that we can get a little momentum going into next week," Love said. "It's nice because now we've seen a sectional opponent and we'll see another one on Monday. We've seen how we match up and hopefully next time it turns out a little better."

The two teams each have a few matches left before the postseason kicks off.

Greencastle hosts Owen Valley on Thursday and plays at Danville on Monday.

South Putnam will hosts Linton-Stockton on Thursday and travel to South Vermillion on Monday.

Sectionals are hosted by seven-time defending champion Northview and begin next Wednesday.

"Last time anyone else has won, it was us in '05," Hirt said. "I really think this could be the year. It's wide open. I hope that we do it, but I think South Vermillion has a shot, Northview has a shot and I really think we've got a shot."



At Greencastle
1S Ummel (GC) def Tyler Long 6-2, 6-1
2S Berry (SP) def Ritchey 6-4, 6-1
3S Fajt (GC) def Stewart 6-0, 6-0
1D Flemming and Mangrum (GC) def Moore and Carmichael 6-2, 6-3
2D Eckrich and Gobert (GC) def Crosby and Sollman 6-3, 7-6 (5)

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