PREP ROUNDUP: South Putnam opens boys' tennis sectional with 3-2 win

Thursday, September 27, 2018

BRAZIL – Not having played South Vermillion in regular season due to a rainout, South Putnam boys’ tennis coach Johnny Briones admits he wasn't sure what to expect when the teams met on Wednesday in the opening match of the Northview Sectional.

The Eagles were able to scratch out a 3-2 win, getting singles wins at No. 1 and No. 2 and also picking up a win at No. 2 doubles.

South Putnam will meet the host Knight’s in Thursday’s second semifinal match, following Greencastle vs. Owen Valley.

“Our No. 1 and 2 singles [Thomas] Fanning and [Ty] VanSickle are playing with confidence, being aggressive and playing to win,” Briones said. “They both finished off their opponents in straight sets, taking us to 2-0. No. 3 singles [Garrett Heavin] was off of his game, but I was proud of the way he continued to fight; I am confident that he will bounce back.”

Briones thought his No. 2 doubles team of Brandon Rector and Trey Long “showed signs of improvement,” and despite its loss will bounce back against Northview.”

The match stood tied at 2-2, but South’s No. 1 doubles team of Austin Arnold and Tanner Pistelli picked up a dominant win to clinch the victory.

“They are playing some really good doubles tennis, and they got us the team win in straight sets. They are communicating very well and making some great choices,” Briones said. “It's not going to get any easier against Northview.”

South Putnam 3, South Vermillion 2

Singles – 1. Thomas Fanning (SP) def. Brice Gilman (SV) 6-1, 6-2; 2. Ty VanSickle (SP) def. Baylen Cinotto (SV) 6-0, 6-1; 3. Connor VanLannen (SV) def. Garrett Heavin (SP) 6-2, 6-3.

Doubles – 1. Austin Arnold-Tanner Pistelli (SP) def. Spencer Lewis-Brody Magee (SV) 6-2, 6-1; 2. Blake Boatman-Caiden Santos (SV) def. Trey Long-Brandon Rector (SP) 6-0, 6-2.

__SECTIONAL SCHEDULE

At Northview

Wednesday

_South Putnam 3, South Vermillion 2_

Thursday

5 p.m. — Greencastle vs. Owen Valley

6:30 p.m. — South Putnam vs. Northview

Saturday

10 a.m. — Thursday winners in championship

Volleyball

North Putnam 3, Monrovia 2 – The Cougars honored their seniors in defeating Monrovia by scores 25-22, 25-19, 10-25, 8-25, 15-9.

“The Cougars came out strong in sets one and two and looked very strong even though we had a new lineup due to an injury,” coach Bonnie Osborn said. “We relaxed a little too much in sets three and four. However, we came back in set five hungry for the win and it showed in our fight.”

Monrovia won the JV match 25-13, 21-25, 15-12.

In other volleyball news:

Sectional pairings set Sunday – The IHSAA will announce the pairings for next month’s sectional tournament at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

The pairings will be announced exclusively at www.ihsaatv.org.