The Wayland varsity boys’ tennis team captured its first O-K Gold Conference dual match victory, 6-2 over visiting Cedar Springs.
At first singles, Christian Sieffert played his game against a talented opponent, staying even through the middle of the first set, but his foe pulled away and took the flight, 6-3, 6-
Jackson Chesley played a strong first set at second singles, then battled to keep his lead through the second set as his opponent matched him to 5-5. Jackson settled down and was able to take the next two games to take the second set 7-5 and end the match.
Andrew Murphy, playing third singles for the Wildcats, had to take his match to three sets in order to secure the win. Coach Ben Adams said he dropped his first set 3-6 as he fought off nerves and figured out his opponent and in the second set found his confidence. He played the second set to an even 6-6, forcing a tie-breaker for the match, coming through to force a third set .
“It was in the third set that Andrew hit the ground running, with full confidence and blistering overheads,” Adam commented, noting Murphy won 6-4 to conclude a three-hour contest..
The fourth singles match also included a tie-breaker in the first set, as Nolan Ritz also fought off a tentative start.
“Nolan also found his confidence in his strokes and game plan, taking the first set 7-6 after winning his tie-breaker 7-2,” his coach said. “Nolan settled down in the second set and won it 6-4.”
In the doubles flights more tie-breakers were on the way.
At first doubles, Brett Bultsma and Elijah Dollarhide played their opponent to an even 6-6 in the first set, forcing another tie-breaker. They would take the tie-breaker 7-4, but the Red Hawks were not going quietly. The second set would go to 5-5, forcing the Wildcats to win the next two in order to take the match.
The two were able to take two games in a row and put the Hawks away, winning the second set 7-5, to take the match.
At second doubles, Brady Atwell and Elijah Kincaid proved that good communication and well placed shots are a lethal tennis strategy, taking their match 6-4, 6-3.
At third doubles, the new team of Mark Musgrave and Austin Graham were put to the test, but would also fight to another tie-breaker in the second set.
“Mark and Austin were figuring out their game in the first set, losing 1-6. In the second set however, they settled in and forced the set to 6-6, then taking a decisive tie-breaker, 7-0, making the match even at one set apiece,” Adams said. “Unfortunately, the 3rd set didn’t go their way as the Red Hawks took the set 6-1, stealing a good match.”
At fourth doubles, the new team of Hunter Haase and Garrett Spoor brought experience and energy to their match and won decisively — 6-0, 6-1.
Wayland lost a non-league dual match 8-0 to Hamilton Thursday and its oversall season record now is 1-5-1.
