PENDLETON — While the Pendleton Heights boys tennis team did not advance in sectional play, its No. 1 doubles team of Jackson McKinney and Kaleb Alumbaugh did.
The pair won their match in the sectional, earning the right to continue at North Central to face the No. 1 doubles team from Lawrence Central. They lost the first set 3-6, battled back to win the second set 6-4, and lost the final set 4-6.
McKinney and Alumbaugh finished the season at 17-6.
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The duo’s aggressiveness at the net is something that surprised many of their opponents.
“It’s fun. They’ve worked hard and played hard,” coach Royce Hammel said. “When they’re at the net, they can do a lot of damage.”
“I think it’s pretty cool,” McKinney said. “I’ve been playing doubles for three years, and this is the first time I’ve gone this far.”
For Alumbaugh, the experience was different. He’d been playing at No. 3 singles until this season.
“I’m excited to try it. It’s guys we usually don’t see throughout the season.”
The communication needed for doubles play as opposed to singles had been an adjustment.
“It’s worked out really well between Jackson and I,” Alumbaugh said. He added he’s beginning to like doubles more than singles.
McKinney has always played doubles.
“You always have someone to fall back on and you can play the net more. It’s always good to have someone to cover your back.”
In the final practice before the match, the two were working on their serves and returns.
McKinney wanted to get the ball across faster. Alumbaugh was tweaking his backhand across the court.
The match was set for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (after press time).
Doubles has been the strong suit of the Arabians all season. In their season-ending 3-2 team loss to Greenfield-Central in the first round of the Mt. Vernon Sectional, both wins came from the doubles teams.
The No. 2 doubles team of Nick Vetor and Evan Bobb defeated Nick Grandstaff and Corbin Tilley, 6-2, 6-4. They finished the season 18-4.
The McKinney-Alumbaugh combo beat G-C’s Seth Kirkpatrick and Kane Bradley 6-4, 6-4.
“It’s been a tough year trying to get a point in singles,” Hammel said. “We’ve probably lost seven or eight matches 3-2. One singles here or there could have turned things around.”
Pendleton Heights ended its season with a 5-13 record.
Six of the seven varsity players are seniors, including all four doubles players.
Against the Cougars, No. 1 Caleb King lost to Robbie Dye 6-2, 6-0. Zach Nelson was defeated 6-0, 6-2 by Garrett Neumeister at No. 3 singles.
Junior Parker Hammons lost at No. 2 to Carson Gibson, 6-3, 6-4.
“I’m sure he’s going to be working hard over the winter and summer and get his game up to the next level,” Hammel added on his lone underclassman.
