Manchester tennis traveled to Bluffton to take on a young Tiger team only to face soaked courts from a brief, recent downpour.
After a 60 minute delay and some sun help, play began on 10 beautifully redone courts (JV matches shortened to a 6 game set due to time and many matches to play.) Several Manchester players breezed through their JV set in about 20-30 minutes of play as the JV would win 8 straight matches and 9 of the 11 played. Manchester’s team strength really shined in these JV wins. The varsity saw several good matches, but Manchester’s talent, experience, and depth would prevail in all 5 matches for a 5-0 win.
Myla Crozier was the first Lady Squire to win at 2 singles followed by Bethany Penrod at 3 singles. Both sensational sophomores shut out their opponents 6-0,6-0. Minutes later Manchester’s exceptional 1 doubles team of senior Carleigh Blevins and junior Addison Brubaker notched another 6-0,6-0 victory against 2 really good Bluffton players. Sarah Kerlin would make it four wins as she patiently plotted out her shots and wore her opponent down with just the right shots for a 6-0,6-1 score.
With Manchester’s 2 doubles team out for a college visit and sore ankle, the Lady Squires relied on their depth to fill the spot with top JV singles players Ava Baker and Marley Bellinger. “Ava and Marley were fun to watch as they raised their play as the match progressed.” After losing set one 2-6 to two good players, they made adjustments to doubles strategies and took the next two sets 6-4,6-2 with great energy, strong serves, and timely net volleys. Coach Eichenauer remarked, “I was once again impressed at our team’s effort, positivity, and overall play. We made good shot decisions but also executed those strategies due to our hard work in practice and focused attention to making the right play. We look forward to returning to these courts for regionals on May 21.” Manchester varsity and JV remain undefeated on the season and play Columbia City Friday in a match continued from April 9. Then Monday they travel to Lewis Cass to face the other TRC team with a perfect record.
