Bulldogs tennis defends boys county crown for another year
LAPEL — It’s almost become a given that the Lapel Bulldogs will be in the Madison County tennis finals, and winning the title has become no surprise either.
The Bulldogs captured their ninth straight Madison County win 3-2 over Pendleton Heights Aug. 26 on their home courts.
“It’s early in the season, but it’s a good test and fun,” coach Justin Coomer said.
The Bulldogs’ success had been a boon for the program.
“I used to have to beg kids to play, but we’ve had success and have 35 kids and 25 in the middle school program. We’re going to cheer each other on whether it’s the last JV match or No. 1 singles.”
While the Bulldogs were leading on all five courts at one point, the Arabians, who were off to a 5-1 start this season, weren’t about to let it go that easily.
At No. 2 singles, Bulldog Isaac Bair had taken the first match of the evening, defeating the Arabians’ Austin Perny 6-0, 6-0,
At No. 1 singles Jacob Erwin was leading Arabian Sam Bowers in the first set and went on to win 6-1.
Meanwhile, on the No. 2 doubles court, the Lapel duo of Jaden Cash and Mason Poynter had won the first set 6-3 against Arabian Isaac Elizondo and Ben Caldwell and went on to finish the match with a second set 6-4 win. The victory put the Bulldogs up 2-0 with three matches still in play.
“It was a huge win. Jaden didn’t play last year,” Coomer said.
“They took a giant leap in the second set. Getting that second point really put the pressure on.”
Cash moved in from Noblesville this year, and he and Poynter were new partners for doubles.
“Tonight, it was No. 2 doubles who had to have the big win. I trust them in those tight situations.”
Pendleton’s Cole Bubenzer and Mark Nielsen at No. 2 doubles defeated Grant Humerickhouse and Shyam Lewis 7-5, 6-3 giving the Arabians their first match win and putting the pressure on Erwin still battling Bowers.
While Bowers and Erwin were still playing on Court 1, in No. 3 singles Arabian Cove Ritchey had defeated Camden Novak in the first set 7-5.
With Lapel up 2-1 in the match and Richey leading at No. 3 singles, Erwin felt the pressure of pulling out the win against Bowers.
Erwin however, was fighting two battles. A back injury hampered him through the tournament.
While he easily took the first set, it was apparent in the second that Erwin was doing everything he could to play through the pain, stretching between points and finding ways to ease the problem.
Bowers was able to take advantage of Erwin’s difficulty and force Erwin to move all over the court.
Erwin was up 5-4 in the second and on the verge of winning both his match and giving the Bulldogs the title when the game went back and forth with the match at deuce several times.
Erwin finally took the set 6-5 when Bowers final slam went into the net.
“I definitely started to hurt quite a bit more, and he started to take advantage of the handicap I had of where I really couldn’t hit my backhand. It was a good game plan on his part,” Erwin said.
Erwin said he planned to take a week off to give his back some rest.
“For him to get through back-to-back matches of that caliber, that’s pretty gutsy,” Coomer said. “Super proud of him.”
Although the Bulldogs were guaranteed a ninth title, the No. 3 singles battle continued. Ritchey pulled out a win over Novak 7-5, 7-6 (6).
Lapel made it to the finals by way of a 3-2 win against Madison-Grant. It earned a first-round forfeit because Anderson is not fielding a team this year.
Pendleton Heights first defeated Elwood 5-0 and then Frankton 3-2 to advance to the finals.
