Owls top Cubs 5-0 at home

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By Dylan Wallace | The Tribune

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Seymour boys tennis coach Brandon Davis decided to switch up his lineup on Thursday at home against Madison.

The Owls have been winning with their regular lineup, but Davis wanted to keep his players on their toes and see what other combinations could work well as the season goes on.

The main changes Davis made was moving Andrew Levine, who usually plays two singles, to play two doubles with freshman Parker Thompson. Thompson’s usual partner Rueben Kruse played three singles, and Joe Schmidt moved from three singles to two singles.

The results were good across the board as Seymour defeated Madison 5-0.

“It’s new chances to play and new places to be,” Davis said. “Regardless of the opponent, it’s a good way to remind ourselves that we enjoy playing tennis, so it’s a good way to keep everybody going.”

Hunter Heckman won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, Schmidt won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 singles and Kruse won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.

Eli Meyer and Jack VonDielingen won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles, and Levine and Thompson 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles.

“We didn’t play the best, but I think we got the job done,” Levine said. “I would say chemistry wise, we have similar play style. We like the net, so that works well in doubles.”

Thompson didn’t think he played the best either, but he said he’s known Levine for awhile, so even though this was the first time they teamed together this season, he thought that helped.

Thompson is a freshman this season, and this is the first time of his career that he’s played doubles.

“I like it,” he said. “Doubles, it helps you definitely with singles, too. This will be helping me with that at the net and everything.”

Levine is the lone senior on the team, and his leadership to the younger players is something Davis values.

“It’s unmatched, really,” Davis said. “His leadership, his energy. He provides so much knowledge, especially if he’s able to pass that down to the guys, especially Parker and being able to coach him and guide him through a match.”

Levine believes he’s a versatile player, which is why he’s able to switch from singles to doubles and have no issues having success.

“It really helps that my play style — I’m big and like being up at the net,” Levine said. “It’s nice to be able to transfer back and forth and still play to a high standard.”

Seymour is off to an 8-2 start this season and have suffered some tight 3-2 losses.

The Owls have been competitive in every match, which has Davis and the players pleased with their progress so far.

“I think we’ve played well,” Davis said. “We can always do better, and that’s what I’m trying to get my guys to understand is that we have to have a great mindset about how we play tennis.”

“We’ve performed pretty well this season,” Levine said. “There a few things we can get better at, but I’m very happy with the way our season has turned out so far.”

Seymour will play in the Shelbyville invite on Saturday. The Owls first matchup will be against Westfield, followed by matches against Shelbyville and Columbus East.

“I think just our aggressiveness,” Davis said on things he wants his team to improve. “And just our adapting to the different styles of play that we’re playing against. Each player is different, so we have to be better and catching those and figuring out those weaknesses sooner, that way it doesn’t put us behind in a set.”

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