Bethany Christian vs. Bremen {Match Report}

Click here for photos from this match.

The varsity bounced back well from last night's defeat and the JV continued its recent run of good play in a pair of Bruin victories against Bremen. The varsity was able to secure a 4-1 win while the JV won 7-3.

The varsity secured the win with the first three matches off the court. Jonny Shenk raised his #3 singles record to 13-3 win a 6-1, 6-0 dismantling of Bremen senior Jacob Hundt. Jonny was able to force errors from Hundt, but again was able to get to the net and put away some ferocious overhead slams. This new vein of attacking play in the past two matches has allowed Jonny to take his opponents to a whole new level of frustration.

The second match to finish was #1 doubles, where Johnny and Jeremy overcame a poor, tired-looking start to get back to their aggressive, slamming-the-ball-over-the-fence selves. It was good to watch these two enjoy doubles again after a tight, nervous match against Fairfield. Things began to flow as they covered the net brilliantly and pounded their way to a 6-3, 6-1 win, impressively winning 10 of the last 11 games.

The decisive match was at #2 singles, where Jared Schwartzentruber again played one of his best matches of the season. He controlled play in both the first and the second sets with smaggressive shots (that's our special word for smart and aggressive) and then taking the net. His approach shots often forced weak passing shots from his opponent, Bremen senior Troy Huff. Jared was able to put many of these away to win this match. Most impressive was that both sets were won with games that lasted at least 15 minutes each, going to multiple deuces. These are the type of games we must win to bring home trophies, and Jared won them.

With the team match won, attention turned to two three set matches at #1 singles and #2 doubles. At #2 doubles, Mikey and Daniel had overcome a poor first set to win the second set in dominating form, 6-1. The third set saw Bremen step up their game and Mikey and Daniel felt that pressure. Again frustration and fear drove this doubles team instead of enjoyment and opportunity. They fell 6-2 in the final set, the first and only varsity defeat in this match against Bremen.

This left Luke on the courts to finish his three setter against senior Joe Rallo. Last year Luke played his best match of the season against Rallo, and it had been enough to best him 6-4, 7-6. This night, Luke had dropped the first set to this talented senior 3-6. In the second set, Luke began to turn things around, again by attacking the net and forcing Rallo to make shots. Joe certainly turned his game up a bit, and made some superb passing shots to foil some of Luke's attack. But Rallo also began to make mistakes, which he had made few of during the first set. Luke was able to win the second set 6-4, to set up a decisive final set. In a back and forth battle, Luke took a 5-4 lead in the third set after a single game lasted near 20 minutes. Then suddenly it came easily, as Luke won the final game at love to win the match.

So it was a great turnaround by the varsity, and the JV followed with great play from the singles positions again, and a win at doubles. Ben Mast, Kyle Miller, and Russell Klassen, Austin Loucks all worked their way to singles victories, while Matt Amstutz/Seth Krabill, Nick Rebec/Claude Stickler, and Jake Gerig/Weston Troyer took care of their doubles. Particularly impressive was #1 singles and #1 doubles, who both won easily and showed their growing aggressive tendencies. That attacking spirit is beautiful indeed.

Scores
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Bethany --- Score --- Bremen

#1S - Luke Hostetter (11) --- 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 --- Joe Rallo (12)
#2S - Jared Schwartzentruber (11) --- 6-4, 6-4 --- Troy Huff (12)
#3S - Jonny Shenk (11) --- 6-1, 6-0 --- Jacob Hundt (12)
#1D - Johnny Kauffman (11)/Jeremy Thomas (11) --- 6-3, 6-1 --- Ben Fanning (11)/Mitch Cook (10)
#2D - Daniel Buschert (11)/Mikey Kelly (10) --- 4-6, 6-1, 2-6 --- Dan Shramm (12)/Kevin Ingle (11)

JV
#1S - Ben Mast (9) --- 8-0 --- Thomas Manges (9)
#2S - Kyle Miller (9) --- 7-6 --- Justin Bogart (10)
#3S - Russell Klassen (9) --- 6-1 --- Jaxson Burkins (10)
#4S - Austin Loucks (10) --- 6-3 --- Alex Overholser (9)
#5S - Justin Gregor (11) --- 2-5 --- Jaxson Burkins (10)
#6S - Harrison Beachey (10) --- 0-6 --- Thomas Manges (9)
#1D - Matt Amstutz (11)/Seth Krabill (9) --- 8-2 --- Taylor Oberly (11)/Tom Zeltwanger (11)
#2D - Will Troyer (11)/Misha Rebec (10) --- 4-6 --- Ty Holmes (9)/ Taylor Fanning (9)
#3D - Nick Rebec (10)/Claude Stickler (10) --- 6-4 --- Ben Sime (10)/Hayden Hollenbaugh (10)
#4D - Weston Troyer (12)/Jake Gerig (10) --- 6-3 --- Alex Fitch (9)/Harley Sult (9)