The Pioneer tennis team bounced back on Tuesday with a big 5-4 victory over a very good Elkhorn High team. After losing 1-8 on Monday to Waverly the Pioneers needed a boost of confidence. The Pioneers limped into Tuesday nights match down two players with illness and Braydon Thornton still still out with his bad ankle. It didn’t start off well with the team losing the #1 doubles and the #3 doubles. Zach Ackerman and Lucas Nielson got their first varsity doubles competition and competed well but were just outmatched by Elkhorns #3 and #6 players. Coach McNeely said “They fought hard and I was proud of them for making a stand and winning those two games. I hope they learned a lot that they can take into their Junior Varsity matches.” The bright spot in doubles was the combination of Anthony Robinson and Thornton. They showed good chemistry considering this was their first time playing together this year. Robinson once again patrolled the baseline like a champ and returned everything they could muster. However, the real bright spot was the consistency Thornton showed at the net and with the serve. McNeely said, “You could tell that ankle was hurting him, but he was an absolute warrior. Not one complaint! He stayed within himself and did the little things magically. He may be the reason we won this dual.” The Pioneers went 4-2 in singles with a stellar match from Nathan Dia who has really started to play with more confidence and a strong forehand. After the match Dia jokingly commented, “Now if I can just learn to hit a backhand.” McNeely’s responded, “He is right, when he starts trying to get topspin on his backhand instead of that slice, he will really become quite a player.” Poggemeyer dominated his opponent 8-0 and then the match came down to the two Juniors to win the dual. Anthony Robinson battled a very good Scott Riddell at #1, and today he brought a new weapon with him. Robinson, for the first time put his slice backhand away and started unleashing a very powerful top-spin backhand. Coach Holmberg wondered “Where has that been all year?” Robinson rode the backhand and powerful serve to win 8-5. Robinson commented “It just felt good today.” With Robinson winning and pulling the dual score to 4-4 Connor Causgrove knew it was up to him to win his #2 singles. Causgrove started slowly, but he didn’t let frustration set in and stayed calm. He told McNeely during the match “I am just going to keep hitting it in and let him make mistakes.” It was a great strategy because he was the more athletic player on the court and was able to get to every one of his opponents good shots. Eventually he was able wear down Lawson Clevenger for the win 8-5. Coach McNeely does not try to hide intensity in these close matches. He commented, “These guys did great! They believe in themselves and I am so proud of the way they were able to overcome these little adversities.”
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AuthorThese articles are written by coaches, players and parents of the tennis team. Archives
September 2022
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