Eagles knocked out in sectional semifinal

Friday, October 4, 2013
Collin Berry rips a forehand winner during his victory on Thursday, the lone win for South Putnam in the sectional semifinal. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

With a few more breaks each set, the South Putnam boys' tennis team would have carved its way into the sectional final on Friday. The Eagles were in every match with South Vermillion but lost to the Wildcats 4-1.

Junior Collin Berry picked up a straight sets win for the Eagles, beating Cole Morgan 6-3, 6-3.

SPHS was swept by South Vermillion earlier this week but made an impressive turnaround on Thursday.

Tyler Long

"Top to bottom I thought our effort was really there," South Putnam coach Zach Love said. "We really responded well. ... We made them a little bit nervous but they were just a little too much."

The scores are close:

6-4, 6-0 at one singles;

6-3, 7-5 at three singles;

7-5, 6-3 at one doubles;

6-3, 7-6 (2) at two doubles;

But the matches were even closer. At each flight the Eagles had a lead and a chance to win.

Senior Tyler Long played some of his best tennis of the year at one singles before wearing down in the second set and losing to Ben Cvengros.

"(Long) is in a tough position going against everyone's No. 1 singles player," Love said. "He really came out serving the ball well and overall I think he played his best match tonight."

At three singles, sophomore Josh Stewart's get-it-back mentality lengthened his points and led to an early 2-1 lead in the first set and a 4-3 advantage in the second set before coming up short against the more aggressive Ryan Scott.

Trey Moore

Senior Trey Moore and junior Jake Carmichael started with a passive approach that gave the Eagles' pair an early deficit, but they fought back to push Aaron Hines and Kam Weyrauch to the brink in the first set.

Juniors Zane Crosby and Mason Sollman started slow as well, but started poaching lobs and worked the match to a second-set tiebreaker.

"We really were playing our best tennis at the end of the year," Love said. "The kids really responded well to the last couple days practice. ... The effort was there we just came up a little bit short in the end."

The loss in sectionals marked the end for this season, but it was one of significant improvement.

The Eagles were in just their second year as a program but established the groundwork for a solid future, thanks in large part to the effort of the teams seniors, Long, Moore, Sam Russell and Derek Chestnut.

"They were good senior leaders," Love said. "They were all there in practice and worked hard to push each other. They've set the bar high for the next group.

"We've got a big group of juniors so we should have a big group of seniors next year. Hopefully they kind of carry that on and we can build some momentum into next year."

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