Tigers No Match For Eagles In Tennis Regional Semifinal
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Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
CULVER – As its roster suggests, Culver Military Academy’s boys tennis team played like a group of seniors Tuesday evening. Hosting the Warsaw Tigers in a regional semifinal match at the Gable Tennis Center on CMA’s picturesque campus, the Eagles soared to a 5-0 win. Not only did the Eagles win the match in straight sets, CMA’s all-senior squad made it look fairly easy at times. “Culver is a great team,” said Warsaw coach Rick Orban, whose team won its fourth-straight sectional title last week but saw its season end with a 10-7 record. “They played solid at every spot, they were in the right position, and they played extremely smart tonight.” With the win, the Eagles improved to 15-2 on the season and advanced to tonight’s regional final against the Plymouth Pilgrims, who beat Peru 5-0 in Tuesday’s other semifinal. CMA beat Plymouth 4-1 in last year’s regional final, and then beat the Pilgrims by the same score on Sept. 29. Warsaw fell 3-2 to the Eagles early last month. Tuesday’s regional match, however, wasn’t nearly as close. “We played them earlier in the year, and it was a tighter match then,” said Orban. “But their seniors came to play ... like I said, they’re just solid. (Coach) Alan (Loehr) does a great job coaching them. It’s always a joy to play them, they’re great sportsmen.” The Eagles wasted no time in setting the tone against the Tigers, as Samuel Concannon beat Warsaw senior Christopher Herendeen 6-0, 6-0 in a No. 1 singles match that lasted little more than half an hour. Concannon was the state runner-up at No. 1 singles last year, and he and his teammates appear primed to make another deep tournament run after advancing to the quarterfinals as a team in 2014. “Sam’s just a great player,” said Orban. “He came in second in the state last year. He is so solid. There isn’t anything that you can really attack that’s a weakness. His backhand is strong. His forehand is strong. His volleys are strong. He’s an extremely intelligent player, thinks through every point. I’m glad he’s a senior.” At No. 2 singles, CMA’s Christopher Billicic beat Warsaw sophomore Colton Lind 6-1, 6-3. At No. 3 singles, the final match to finish, CMA’s Joshua Thompkins battled his way to a 7-6 (9-7), 6-2 win over Tiger junior Andrew Gauger. “Andrew played a real solid match,” said Orban. “He was up 5-2 in the tie-break, he ended up losing it 9-7, but when you look down and see the other four courts are already done it just takes something out of you. He’s had a great season. He never gives up, obviously, so I’m proud of him. He played well again tonight.” In No. 1 doubles action, William Billicic and Brian Tao beat Warsaw juniors David Homme and Justin Stout 6-1, 6-2. And at No. 2 doubles, Warsaw’s duo of junior Hudson Snyder and freshman Spencer Britton fell 6-1, 6-1 to Evan Dillon and Ean Anderson. While the team regional was being played, the singles sectional was also being contested at the Gable Tennis Center. Manchester senior Max Karg advanced in the individuals tournament with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Maconaquah’s Ian Morris. “Max had his opponent befuddled and at a loss of how to beat him,” said Squires coach Joel Eichenauer. Karg improved to 18-1 this season and awaits his next opponent. “This is the farthest I’ve made it,” said Karg. “We made it out of the sectional (as a team) my sophomore year, but we got beat in the first round (of the regional), so this is a great feeling to know I’m advancing, especially with it being my last year.” Manchester’s No. 1 doubles team of Noah Cain and Matthew Pegg are also awaiting their next opponent, as no other No. 1 doubles teams were able to win, despite their team losing.
CULVER MILITARY ACADEMY 5, WARSAW 0 Singles: No. 1 – Sam Concannon (CMA) def. Christopher Herendeen 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 – Christopher Billicic (CMA) def. Colton Lind 6-1, 6-3; No. 3 – Joshua Thompkins (CMA) def. Andrew Gauger 7-6 (9-7), 6-2 Doubles: No. 1 – William Billicic/Brian Tao (CM) def. Justin Stout/David Homme 6-1, 6-2; No. 2 – Evan Dillon/Ean Anderson (CMA) def. Hudson Snyder/Spencer Britton 6-1, 6-1 Records: CMA 15-2, Warsaw 10-7 Other semifinal: Plymouth 5, Peru 0
Singles Tournament No. 1 – Max Karg (Manchester) def. Ian Morris (Maconaquah) 6-0, 6-1
