Boys Tennis “Acing” the Competition

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Joshua Chester, Sports Reporter

The Bulldog Tennis Team is playing at a level not seen in recent years, or maybe ever. With their current 10 wins and zero losses overall, 6 and 0 in Division IV, the team is set to be at among the best in WNY this season. Referred to by some as, “The Gentlemen’s Tennis Team” for their character and class on the courts, the team is all business when the ball is in play. The team has returning players at all starting positions which looks to be enough for a run as repeat Division IV Champs. Starters in the beginning of the season has been Tim Tur (1st Singles), Lucas Bush (2nd Singles), James Jablonski (3rd Singles), Taylor Grad and Christian Frank (1st Doubles) and Dylan Kiener with Everett Gilbert (2nd Doubles). Just after the start of the season, Nathan Lund rejoined the team for his final year as a senior. Nathan Lund is a great addition to the team to put the boys at the top in WNY.

Alden played a Double Header against Cleve Hill. The starting lineup dominated each court in straight sets and won 60 games to 3. The second match of the day also yielded a 5-0 win with a varied lineup of Jimmy Jablonski (1st singles), Dylan Kiener (2nd singles), Everett Gilbert (3rd singles), Christina Frank & Ian Hopcia (1st doubles), and Taylor Grad & Ryan Becker (2nd Doubles).

Tonawanda visited for another 5-0 win with impressive sets: Tim Tur (6-0, 6-0), Nate Lund (6-2, 6-0), Luke Bush (6-0, 6-0), Christian Frank/Taylor Grad (4-6, 6-0, 6-1) and Dylan Kiener/Everett Gilbert (6-1, 6-0).

Alden then went up to challenge Division I talent at Clarence. Strong singles play sealed the historic 3-2 Bulldog win. Tur  won in 3 sets (4-6, 6-1, 6-4). Lund (6-2, 6-1) and Bush (6-3, 6-0) won with ease. Doubles was a close call with Clarence sneaking out wins in 3 sets, Frank/Grad (7-6, 6-7, 2-10) and Kiener/Jablonski (7-6, 3-6, 0-6).

The Team took the lone lead in Division IV with a 3 – 2 win over the Eden Raiders. The Double teams of Frank/Grad (6-2, 6-0) and Gilbert/Kiener (6-0, 6-1) and Tur and 1st Singles (6-2, 6-4) won convincingly. Bush lost a tough fight at 2nd singles with sets of 6-7 and 5-7. Jablonski had sets of 3-6 and 0-6.

The Bulldogs put the JFK Bears back into hibernation with a Double Header in a best of 5 sets format. Dominant play at each position resulted in a 5-0 win with straight sets by Tur (6-0, 6-0, 6-0), Bush (6-0, 6-0, 6-0), Jablonski (6-1, 6-0, 6-2), Grad/Frank (6-0, 6-0, 6-0), and Kiener/Gilbert (6-0, 6-0, 6-0).