Woodmen advance at tennis sectional

<p>For the Daily Journal</p><p>Greenwood boys tennis coach Jeremy Runge describes this as a bit different year for his team.</p><p>“Our singles are our strength, without question,” Runge said. “So for us we have to start off strong with our singles to really be competitive.”</p><p>The Woodmen did that Wednesday, as their top two singles players, Ethan Gray and Jacob Rothaar, cruised to rapid wins en route to Greenwood’s 4-1 victory against Franklin in the first round of the Center Grove Sectional.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery<p>Greenwood (10-4) will now meet No. 5 Center Grove in a semifinal today at 4:30 p.m. Whiteland and Indian Creek meet in the other semifinal, with the championship set for 4:30 p.m. Friday.</p><p>“The big thing for us is our No. 1 doubles team came out ready to play,” Runge said of Wednesday’s match. “We’re definitely going to need them for Center Grove. All in all, I was pretty impressed.”</p><p>Gray, a sophomore, defeated Franklin senior Josiah Rockey 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 singles.</p><p>“I feel pretty good right now,” Gray said. “After county, I feel like my game has improved a lot since then.”</p><p>Rothaar, a senior, won all 12 games against Franklin junior Nathan Tyler at No. 2 singles. In a battle of freshmen at No. 3 singles, Greenwood’s Aidan Luttrell defeated Samuel Auger 6-4, 6-4.</p><p>The Woodmen’s No. 1 doubles team of junior Ben Sobieray and sophomore Charlie Brooks dropped just one game in a 6-1, 6-0 victory over senior Adam Johnson and sophomore Jackson Klem.</p><p>The Grizzly Cubs got their lone point at No. 2 doubles, where senior Jared Ross and junior Luke Neville topped freshman Sam Fenner and senior Shane Paswater 6-3, 6-0.</p><p>“It was the same result when we played Franklin in county, we won 4-1 and lost at No. 2 doubles,” Runge said.</p><p>Center Grove topped Greenwood 4-1 in the Johnson County tournament, with Gray winning the lone point at No. 1 singles.</p><p>“It’s kind of the same thing; we’re going to have to play at a high level and need a little luck,” Runge said. “But I think we’ll compete. Center Grove is a good team. They always are. It’s hard for us because we’re a smaller school.</p><p>“I always want to win, but obviously the big thing for us is I want us to compete. If we can compete, I’m always happy.”</p>