By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence dropped two matches in the Rob Spencer Invitational on Friday.
The Stars (0-5) suffered a 4-1 loss to Madison in the first round, then fell to Bloomfield 3-2 in the consolation round.
“First and foremost, we played well,” BNL coach Ian Dillman said. “We’ve played two teams that are at our skill level and we let them slip away. I’m not thrilled with the results at all. We should’ve won both of these matches. We have to keep playing at a higher intensity level.”
In the opener, the Cubs swept the doubles. Mitchell Cammack and Bodie Harsin clipped Neal Patel and Orion Hill 6-4, 6-1 at No.1, while Ayden Liter and Carson Cammack conquered Micah Carter and Laedon Jones 6-1, 6-0 at No.2.
BNL’s lone win came at No.2 singles as Braxton Fugate topped Brock Brandon 6-2, 6-0. Madison’s Kaid Fink stopped Jackson Corey 6-1, 6-2 at No.1, and Briar Boldery bounced Asher Thompson 6-0, 6-2 at No.3.
“We were up on all of the courts against Madison, then we just stopped and allowed them to come back,” Dillman said. “We can’t let off the gas pedal when we are up.”
In the nightcap, the Cardinals pulled out a three-set battle at No.1 singles as Caleb Kerr edged Corey 6-2, 4-6, 10-7 (in a deciding super tiebreaker). BNL won at No.3 singles (Thompson dumped Cameron Branstatter 6-2, 7-5) and No.1 doubles (Patel and Hill hammered Waylon Hasler and Andrew Barker 6-0, 6-2).
Bloomfield also posted wins at No.2 singles (Slok Patel pinched Fugate 6-4, 6-4) and No.2 doubles (Jared Small and Owen Medina edged Carter and Jones 6-4, 6-4).
“We were obviously tired,” Dillman said. “Everyone was, but we can’t use that as an excuse for our loss. We have to keep grinding and giving it our all.
“I think our 1 doubles figured that out. They were up in the second and started yelling and cheering, and it flowed into the courts around them. It’s what I’ve been preaching about for weeks now. We have to be loud and energetic when we win points.
“I had a talk with my guys after our losses about bouncing back. I told them about my attitude my junior year and how I had to change my perspective about the game. I hated being known as the one with an attitude, the one who lost, everything negative, I hated it. However, I used my junior year and all my broken racquets as motivation to do better.
“I know we will bounce back, it’s just a matter of time and getting more matches under our belt. I’m happy that these guys are having fun and enjoying their time out here. We need to be proud to wear BNL on our uniforms.”
Borden defeated Madison in the championship match.
BNL will return to action at Columbus East on Monday.
ROB SPENCER INVITATIONAL
First round
Madison 4, BNL 1
Singles
1 Kaid Fink, M d. Jackson Corey 6-1, 6-2
2 Braxton Fugate, BNL d. Brock Brandon 6-2, 6-0
3 Briar Boldery, M d. Asher Thompson 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
1 Mitchell Cammack and Bodie Harsin, M d. Neal Patel and Orion Hill 6-4, 6-1
2 Ayden Liter and Carson Cammack, M d. Micah Carter and Laedon Jones 6-1, 6-0
Consolation round
Bloomfield 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Caleb Kerr, Bl d. Jackson Corey 6-2, 4-6, 10-7
2 Slok Patel, Bl d. Braxton Fugate 6-4, 6-4
3 Asher Thompson, BNL d. Cameron Branstetter 6-2, 7-5
Doubles
1 Neal Patel and Orion Hill, BNL d. Waylon Hasler and Andrew Barker 6-0, 6-2
2 Jared Small and Owen Medina, Bl d, Micah Carter and Laedon Jones 6-4, 6-4
