Finals setbacks for Stevenson at Deerfield

Stevenson looked on course for a dream result at singles and doubles Saturday afternoon at the annual Deerfield 8-team tennis invite, but a pair of finals losses spoiled the ending for the Patriots.

Senior Jeremy Bush fell in straight sets to Alex Galoustian (6-4, 6-4) at No. 1 singles at Lake Forest’s West campus, while at the same time, teammates Josh Lieberman and Pawel Jaworski suffered the same fate at the hands of top seed John Zordani and Scott Christian of Lake Forest 6-0, 6-4.

“Galoustian was just awesome today,” said Stevenson coach Tom Stanhope. “Jeremy played well, but (Galoustian) controlled the tempo right from the start, and even though we tried to take away the angles, he just did a great job out there.”

Last weekend at the prestigious Pitchford 32, Bush finished second to Hinsdale Central star sophomore, Martin Joyce, also in straight sets.

Lake Forest and New Trier tied for the team title with 60 points each. Stevenson was third at 44, just ahead of Deerfield (42).

In doubles, the Lieberman-Jaworski team appeared to be in top form after two previous victories, but the senior duo was unable to solve Lake Forest, which broke the Patriots three times in the first set, then roared back from a 4-2 second-set deficit to claim the title.

“Despite the loss today, Josh and Pawel continue to make progress,” said Stanhope. “They have been together just a few times this season, and they already reached the finals at No. 2 doubles last weekend at the 32, and again today. If they continue to work and improve, they could become a force when the state tournament begins in a month.