Bazarnik, Pats serve up a win

Blake Bazarnik, Stevenson's No. 1 singles player, is well prepared to face the most punishing of serves.

For that, he can thank Etham Frenkel.

Frenkel, who plays No. 2 singles for the Patriots, blasts serves at Bazarnik every day.

"His serve is such a big weapon," Bazarnik said. "Big serves are not a surprise to me because I see it in practice."

You can only imagine then what Warren senior Mike Brandonisio was thinking Tuesday. Brandonisio, who normally plays No. 3 doubles, was matched up against Frenkel in an NSC dual match at Warren.

At one point in the second set, Frenkel notched three consecutive aces.

"Those serves blew by me," Frenkel said. "I had no chance and just had to laugh."

Stevenson swept two singles matches and three doubles matches for a 5-0 victory. The Patriots (7-1, 4-0) stayed perfect in NSC play. Warren dropped to 9-5, 2-2.

Frenkel took two years off from high school tennis to work on his game and play national tournaments. One week before the season started Frenkel switched to a one-handed backhand.

"Within two weeks it seemed a lot more natural to hit the one-handed backhand," Frenkel said.

This was the second consecutive day Brandonisio played singles. Warren had to shift its lineup because Denis Bogatov, the defending IHSA state champion, was playing in the Interscholastic West Tournament in California.

And what a trip to California it was. Bogatov, the No. 5 seed, ended up winning the tournament.

Although Bogatov faced great competition in California, he would have had to battle to beat Bazarnik. Bazarnik and Bogatov traded text messages Monday night.

"I was a little disappointed because we always have good matches," Bazarnik said.

Bazarnik defeated Warren's Jon Donnowitz 6-0, 6-1.

"He put a lot of pressure on my backhand," Donnowitz said. " I could have played better, but a lot of it was (Bazarnik)."

As for Brandonisio, he said playing against a high-level player such as Frenkel will help him when he moves back to doubles.

"I know how to place serves better and get the return I want for my partner," Brandonisio said.

At No. 1 doubles, Stevenson's Ross Putterman and David Packowitz scored an impressive 6-1, 6-1 victory over Warren's Eric Teeman and Paul Schlais.

Putterman's serving put Warren on the defensive. He has grown 7 inches within the last year.

"I've become acclimated to my height and I'm going for it more on my first serve," Putterman said.

Added Packowitz: "His serve is way bigger. He's giving me easier volleys at the net and making me look good."

The No. 2 doubles match was delayed until some of the earlier matches finished. Space was limited since two of the tennis courts had standing water and were unplayable.

Stevenson's Alec Tunner, who plays with Ryan Buxbaum, said they did not mind the wait.

"It's fun to play last because you get great support from your teammates," Tunner said.

The duo posted a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Warren's Eric Seiler and Nikola Trukov. The weather was raw and windy throughout, but particularly during the last doubles match.

"We've learned to play well in (these) conditions," Buxbaum said.

Cohen said he is exited about the way Warren's doubles lineup is progressing.

"I'm happy with where our doubles teams are at for this point in the season," he said.