By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – At the end of a long week, Bedford North Lawrence ran out of power.
Borden took home the trophy in the BNL Invitational on Friday night, topping the Stars 4-1 in the championship match. The Stars (2-3) advanced to the final with a 4-1 conquest of Madison, but playing their fifth match in five days took its toll in the finale.
“It was competitive,” BNL coach Chris Kurtz said. “Of course we were hoping to take home the trophy, but Borden was better in the end, and it was a hard fought victory.
“It’s been a big week: These were our fourth and fifth matches in as many days, and everybody is pretty worn out. But it’s been really good. Practices have been great for developing tennis skills, but matches like this are where they really learn how to compete. I’m proud of our guys.”
In the opener, BNL swept the singles to conquer the Cubs. Graham Turner toppled Kaid Fink 6-2, 6-0 at No.1, Jayden Kemp moved up to No.2 and stopped Tucker Whitaker 6-3, 6-0, and Nate Pemberton pounded Cooper Chandler 6-0, 6-0 at No.3. The Stars were awarded a forfeit win at No.2 doubles.
The Braves, who reached the final with a 5-0 win over Bloomfield, swept the doubles while stopping the Stars. Kasyn Nash and Brandon Wagoner clipped Carter Kimmel and Drew Stephenson 6-0, 6-2 at No.1, while Zander Keith and Wil Banet bounced Gavin Baker and Isaac Bridges 6-0, 6-0 at No.2.
In singles, Pemberton produced the lone win for the Stars by decking Kylan Nash 6-0, 6-1 at No.3. A.J. Agnew defeated Turner 6-2, 6-2 at No.1, and Judd Missi edged Kemp 6-4, 7-6 (7-4 in the tiebreaker) at No.2.
Bloomfield swept Madison 5-0 in the consolation round.
The Stars will return to action on Monday, visiting Columbus East.
BNL INVITATIONAL
BNL 4, Madison 1
Singles
1 Graham Turner, BNL d. Kaid Fink 6-2, 6-0
2 Jayden Kemp, BNL d. Tucker Whitaker 6-3, 6-0
3 Nate Pemberton, BNL d. Cooper Chandler 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
1 Bode Harsin and Mitchell Cammack, M d. Carter Kimmel and Drew Stephenson 6-3, 6-3
2 Gavin Baker and Isaac Bridges, BNL won by forfeit
Borden 4, BNL 1
Singles
1 A.J. Agnew, B d. Graham Turner 6-2, 6-2
2 Judd Missi, B d. Jayden Kemp 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
3 Nate Pemberton, BNL d. Kylan Nash 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
1 Kasyn Nash and Brandon Wagoner, B d. Carter Kimmel and Drew Stephenson 6-0, 6-2
2 Zander Keith and Wil Banet, B d. Gavin Baker and Isaac Bridges 6-0, 6-0
