Boys tennis: Grayslake North upends Grayslake Central

Lakes looks to be the front-runner to this point in the Northern Lake County Conference boys tennis race.

But no lead is safe in this league. And it takes on even more meaning when you're facing your crosstown rival.

Such was the case with Grayslake North visiting Grayslake Central on Tuesday afternoon, and North coming away with a 5-2 victory.

"Somehow it always comes down to the wire when we face (Grayslake Central), whatever the sport," said North coach Johnny Kent. "What's neat about our conference is the parity. Any school can win. That's how good the league is."

Kent has plenty of reason to be optimistic with two freshmen making waves on the court.

Dylan Clausen breezed to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Central's Josh Adisumarta.

"My forehand was working well but I need to work on the backhand," Clausen said. "He came back on me but I stayed composed and got back in control."

The Knights swept singles play, going 3-0.

Senior Bryan Burger's victory at No. 2 singles over Josh Kim 6-4, 7-6 (5) actually clinched the match for Grayslake North (6-7, 2-2).

"He's doing a great job for us," said Kent. "That was only his fourth singles match of his life."

Adi Chinthagunta completed the singles sweep with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Central's Ethan Bleniss.

In doubles, North's Eduardo Fonseca and freshman Christian Abban made quick work of Dylan Whetham and Aavik Patel 6-2, 6-0.

Then, the Rams got on the board when brothers Jeff and Jack Wold won a grueling 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 match after having 7 match points.

"They were really good," said Jeff Wold. "We struggled at the end but just tried to stay confident."

His brother concurred.

"They hit really good overheads," said Jeff Wold, whose record with his brother hiked to 10-4. "We tried keeping them off balance and not letting the easy points get us down."

Grayslake Central, now 4-6 in duals and 1-3 in the NLCC, won second doubles when Nick Zator and Milan Patel won in straight sets over Central's Matt Yadanza and Lucas Shurboff 6-1, 6-4.

North then took the fourth doubles when Eric Henderson and Michael Wentz won a hard-fought 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 victory over Kollin Wardin and Jaylord Sajor.

"We've been struggling a little. But it's never a good time for a lull period. It's a lot more fun winning," said Rams coach Chuck Lawson.