Fremont Match Report

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This was a great match for our team. We won easily at most varsity and JV positions, and so most of the time that doesn't mean it was a great match, but we played our games today and played them well. We attacked when we should have attacked, played consistent on points where we needed to play consistent, we served very well (Johnny Kauffman!), all around a well played and handled match.

The varsity handled their matches very easily. Jared's opponent was even ready to forgo warmups because he had watched us warming up and noted, "I'm just going to lose anyway." This was a dark forecast from Fremont's number two player, but I was glad to see us go out and play well. Luke finally eased through a Fremont match, after going into three long sets the previous two years. This year Luke didn't drop a game as he mixed it up with Fremont senior Luke Frey. Also winning without dropping games were number one doubles Johnny Kauffman and Jeremy Thomas, picking up their first win together on the season in dominant fashion, and number three singles player Jonny Shenk. I'm always impressed at how Jonny can simply stroke the ball beautifully and eventually his opponents patience and strokes fail within the points and games. Johnny and Jeremy played extremely well, both on serve and return, and it was good to see them get a 6-0, 6-0 win.

Jared Schwartzentruber did pick up his fifth straight win and number two singles, easily handling senior Drake Hepp. Last year Jared had beaten Hepp 7-6, 6-3. This year it was 6-1, 6-1. I think this was a testament to the work that Jared put in during the offseason and the confidence he is showing early this year. At number two doubles, a rough start on our returns gave three games to the Eagles, but by the second set we were rolling like all the other positions. Daniel and Mikey played up to form in the second set, winning 6-0.

At the JV positions, we were able to wrap up the team match rather quickly. Ben Mast stumbled a bit against Eagle junior Adam Stukey, but got his serve back under control and used his forehand to move Stukey across the baseline. At two singles, the varsity began an informal debate about whether Seth Krabill (pictured) is the best number two singles JV player in Northern Indiana, as he cruised through his match 8-0. He looked relaxed and seemed to be having fun, something we all need to learn from. At the other singles position, Russell Klassen also used his forehand to run junior Tyler Colbart back and forth and eventually into errors. At the other singles positions, Matt Ebersole dropped a long match and Evan Grimes played against the two singles player and fell to him as well.

At doubles we continued our JV domination, winning all four spots that were played. Highlights included Claude Stickler picking up his first win on the season, Jake and Blake combining for a shutout and the solid play of Slavko and Mihalio Rebec. Our number one doubles team struggled a bit in putting away volleys, but for the most part the team played well. I was especially impressed with the improving quality of our net game, and in particular that of our junior class.


Varsity:
Johnny Kauffman wins his first moment of beauty of the year for his first service game of this match. His serve was pacy and biting, dipping into the Fremont players backhands and making their returns incredibly difficult. If you want just one moment, then the first time he served to the ad side of the court, he spun one out wide to the backhand that just kept spinning right past his stunned Eagle opposition for an ace.

JV:
Mihalio Rebec grabs the award at the Junior Varsity level for his stretching backhand volley winner. There's something about seeing tall players stretch for balls that makes me think of the elegant and powerful Pete Sampras. As I watched Misha stretch for the backhand volley that dripped toward his feet and guide it crosscourt between his opponents I couldn't help but be reminded of my favorite player charging the net fearlessly and taking the opponent's best shots and pouncing on them for winners. I hope that Misha's game progresses in that direction.

Scores

Varsity
Luke Hostetter - 6-0, 6-0 - Luke Frey (12)
Jared Schwartzentruber - 6-1, 6-1 - Drake Hepp (12)
Jonny Shenk - 6-0, 6-0 - Preston Hart (12)
Johnny Kauffman/Jeremy Thomas - 6-0, 6-0 - Ryan Palmerton (11)/Mason Hallman (11)
Daniel Buschert/Mikey Kelly - 6-3, 6-0 - Rothman Driver (12)/Josh Feller (11)

JV
Ben Mast - 8-2 - Adam Stukey (11)
Seth Krabill - 8-0 - Kyle Callahan (12)
Russell Klassen - 8-0 - Tyler Colbart (11)
Matt Ebersole - 5-8 - Matt Hoff (9)
Evan Grimes - 1-6 - Kyle Callahan (12)
Matthew Amstutz/Kyle Miller - 8-4 - Andrew Trombly (11)/Weston Grout (11)
Austin Loucks/Nick Rebec - 8-0 - Brant Arnos (9)/Alec Trine (9)
Claude Stickler/Misha Rebec - 6-1 - Andrew Trombly/Weston Grout
Jake Gerig/Blake Shetler - 6-0 - Brant Arnos/Alec Trine