Prospect picks up key East win over Hersey
With its victory over Hersey's boys tennis team on Thursday afternoon, defending MSL East champion Prospect put a stranglehold on the top divisional spot with one week remaining in the regular season.
Led by No. 1 doubles Jon Kiefer and Sam Pope, the Knights (3-0) took three flights out of four to overcome another solid day by a young group of singles players from Hersey to gain a hard-earned 4-3 decision.
"It was close for awhile - probably a little closer than we would have liked, but we received some terrific play from our Nos. 3 and 4 doubles teams to help us get a big win today," said Knights coach Rick Huffman, whose team has Wheeling and Rolling Meadows remaining on the schedule.
Kiefer/Pope have garnered a 9-16 seed in this weekend's Pitchford 32 tournament. Kiefer says a week-long bout with a cold likely sapped his energy for Thursday's match with Kevin Amarantos and Derek Allbright but it didn't slow the Knights' in a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
"I guess I had to carry Jon today," smiled Pope, who with Kiefer watched the Hersey pair get the first set to 4-3 after a service break, before they broke back and finished off the set with Kiefer serving.
"Sam and I are looking forward to having a long run in the 32 this weekend," said Kiefer, "and if we play consistent, we are capable of doing so."
Teammates Matt Werderuch-Mike Hamman (No. 3) and Eliot Bethke-Mike Dietrich at No. 4 fought off the Huskies' charge to push each match into a third set to help seal the Knights' victory.
"We've had a couple of different teams at No. 4, but I think we've settled into Eliot and Mike (there) and those two sophomores at No. 3 have been improving with each match that they play," said Huffman.
Wederuch-Hamman defeated Alex Moore-Kurt Young 6-0, 7-5, while Bethke-Dietrich needed 2 long sets to upend Brandon Adams and Roger Madejski.
"Our No. 4 team is brand new, and I am really proud of the way that they played and fought to stay close in their match with Prospect," said Hersey coach Brenna Ohlson.
Ohlson was thrilled with her No. 2 team (Jimmy Druffel-Danny Milewski), which got past Tony Brogni-Jon Graven in 3 sets (6-3, 2-6, 6-4) with the lefty Milewski closing things out on serve.
Junior Eric Klawitter (15-0) stayed undefeated as the Huskies No. 1 after a 45-minute straight-setter over Kevin Baumhart 6-2, 6-0.
"It's all about staying consistent," said Klawitter, who will open play at the 32 against Cole Grace of Rockford Guilford. Klawitter will be just 1 win away from a meeting with two-time state medalist Drew Feder of Belleville East.
Yuki Chiba was a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Martin Barkus (No. 2) while Dyland Fogarty salvaged the singles flights for the visitors when he defeated Hilario Martinez 7-6 (6), 6-1.
The loss was the first in the MSL this season for Martinez.
"We're disappointed with the outcome, especially since it was so close, but we will have a chance later to make amends at the MSL tournament," said Ohlson.