For The Tribune
The Seymour Owls boys tennis team soundly defeated Edinburgh 4-1 in a home match Monday.
Owls Coach Brad Emerson said he was happy with the win and with the way the team battled.
“It was a good win,” he said. “On paper, it’s a match we should have won and we did, so hopefully that gives the kids a little confidence going into today’s match with Brown County. It will be tougher competition, but hopefully it will give them some confidence.”
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Alex Berry displayed a dominating performance, as he defeated Edinburgh’s Kyle Pendleton 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles.
Berry had a strong serve and was able to contain many of Pendleton’s returns.
Adam Berry — who was bumped up to No. 2 singles as Ty McCory rests from injury — had another strong performance as he defeated the Lancers’ Parker Bryant 6-0, 6-0.
Berry is 5-4 on the year for the Owls and has provided some consistency for the Owls so far this year. Emerson said Berry has been the “diamond in the rough” this season.
“He’s a good athlete. He just gets the ball back. He frustrates a lot of kids and that position with the skill set; most kids don’t have those put-away shots,” Emerson said.
Berry frustrated Bryant by forcing him to work his way close to the net and hitting the ball directly out of Bryant’s reach. Berry said he also was happy with how he was serving the ball in the match.
Blake Koons lost his match at No. 3 singles to the Lancers’ Gavin Hancock 6-2, 6-2.
Koons was called up to varsity in McCory’s absence.
Emerson said he was still happy with Koons’ effort on the court.
“I just don’t think he was settled,” he said, adding that nerves and lack of varsity experience played into his loss. “He still battled hard, he didn’t quit, and that’s a good thing. It was a tough match for him.”
The Owls swept the Lancers at doubles with Josiah Rudge and Grant Handloser defeated Kinser Bryant and Anthony Weber 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles, and Tanner Johnson and John Newton defeated downed the Lancers’ Dalton Bieker and Colton Hednerson 7-5, 6-2 at No. 2 doubles.
Emerson said the team’s win will give them some confidence but won’t set them up for a strong opponent as the Owls go into a busy week. The Owls will face Brown County today and Columbus East on Thursday.
“It’s a nice win in the win column for us, but as far as setting us up for a stronger opponent, it won’t,” he said, adding that less strong teams will give more free points. “Sometimes that can give you a false sense of security.”