MONTGOMERY – Barr-Reeve won two tough three-set matches while conquering Bedford North Lawrence 5-0 during the season-opening high school tennis match at Barr-Reeve on Monday.
Kayden Graber rallied for a three-set win at No.1 singles while Robert Hostetler and Ethan Stoll claimed a third-set tiebreaker at No.1 doubles to lead the Vikings past the Stars (0-1).
Graber edged Steven Graham 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the tops singles slot, while the Vikings won a thriller in doubles with Hostetler and Stoll fighting past BNL’s Cameron Gratzer and Jayden Kemp 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3 in the tiebreaker).
“Steven just ran out of gas in a really long three-setter,” BNL coach Chris Kurtz said. “Doubles played really well in their first time together. I saw big improvements with both Jayden and Cameron. They eventually lost in that third set tiebreak according to the scorecard, but they held it together mentally the entire match. That’s a huge win to build on.
“This was a great first match of the season for us. Barr-Reeve offers a lot of athleticism and toughness, and we came to compete. I’ve been asking our guys to think and act in a new way on the court, and tonight It was evident that they have been listening. Nothing but positives come from this one.”
Barr-Reeve’s Hagen Knepp topped Graham Turner 6-3, 6-2 at No.2 singles while Donnie Miller conquered Carter Kimmel 6-1, 6-1 at No.3. The Vikings completed the sweep as Kylan Lengacher and Brody Swartzentruber defeated Drew Stephenson and Isaac Bridges 6-1, 6-0 at No.2 doubles.
“Drew just started playing tennis two weeks ago on the first day of practice,” Kurtz said. “Both of these guys have done everything right with effort and attitude, and deserved the varsity spots this week. Hopefully we will get back to full strength (BNL had players out because of virus contact tracing protocols) and health as a team soon, and all of the guys can keep learning and growing together.
“It’s a challenge with really small varsity teams, everyone matters. But that’s OK, new guys are gaining some really valuable experience.”
The Stars will visit Bloomington South on Tuesday.
Barr-Reeve 5, BNL 0
Singles
1 Kayden Graber d, Steven Graham 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
2 Hagen Knapp d. Graham Turner 6-3, 6-2
3 Donnie Miller d. Carter Kimmel 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
1 Robert Hostetler and Ethan Stoll d. Cameron Gratzer and Jayden Kemp 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
2 Kylan Lengacher and Brody Swartzentruber d. Drew Stephenson and Isaac Bridges 6-1, 6-0
