Overall it’s been a tough rebuilding season for the Reeths-Puffer boys tennis team, but the Rockets demonstrated how much they have improved with a very strong performance on Wednesday.
Early in the season, R-P lost to North Muskegon 6-2. But the Rockets played the Norse again at home on Senior Night and did much better, sweeping all four singles matches and playing to a 4-4 tie.
Winning for the Rockets at No. 1 singles was Ethan Frang, who swept past North Muskegon’s Kaden Barfolameolli 6-2, 6-3.
Ethan Frang
Cory Judd won at No. 2 singles, shutting out Gavin Miller 6-0, 6-0.
Jackson Baldus won a thriller at No. 3 singles, rallying to steal a three-setter over Emery Price. Baldus lost the first set 6-2, but won the second 6-2 and the tie-breaker 10-8.
Cory Judd
Freshman Roman Ponce had an easy time at No. 4 singles, downing Sean McManus 6-1, 6-2. Ponce avenged an earlier loss to McManus, when he only won four games.
Reeths-Puffer came very close to winning the overall match, with some close calls in doubles.
Landon VanderKooi and Henrik Ketner went three sets at No. 2 doubles, but lost a heartbreaker, 2-6, 7-6, 10-8.
Henrik Ketner
Cameron Mock and Jack Erickson also went three sets at No. 4 doubles, but lost another tight one, 6-4, 1-6, 10-8.
R-P had to forfeit at No. 1 doubles, due to an injury.
R-P head coach Ryan Hankinson was thrilled for his singles players, but felt bad for the kids who came close but lost.
Roman Ponce
“We were equally happy for the members of the team who put things all together, but empathetic for the players who were emotionally drained from disappointing losses and missed opportunities," the coach said. "Such is the game of tennis.”
The Rockets will compete against the other Muskegon County teams in the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association Tournament on Saturday.