For the Daily Journal
Greenwood boys tennis coach Jeremy Runge describes this as a bit different year for his team.
“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.”
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.
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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.
“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.”
Gray, a sophomore, defeated Franklin senior Josiah Rockey 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 singles.
“I feel pretty good right now,” Gray said. “After county, I feel like my game has improved a lot since then.”
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.
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.
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.
“It was the same result when we played Franklin in county, we won 4-1 and lost at No. 2 doubles,” Runge said.
Center Grove topped Greenwood 4-1 in the Johnson County tournament, with Gray winning the lone point at No. 1 singles.
“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.
“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.”
