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Entering this season, Fairfield tennis coach Kurt Fielden had what one might call a good problem. He had two players — senior Kris Riede and junior Corey Fete — capable of playing first singles.

The problem eventually resolved itself.

"(Fete) made the decision to play second singles," Fielden said. "It showed a lot of character, knowing that he probably could play (first singles), but knowing that (Riede) is a senior and that it's his chance."

Fete will likely get his chance at first singles next year. This year, he has emerged as one of the best second singles players in the Greater Miami Conference, boasting a 6-2 record (3-2 GMC) at the season's midway point.

"(Riede) and I are pretty comparable. We can beat each other on any given day," Fete said. "If he was in the second singles spot, he'd be doing really well, too."

Fete has played tennis since he was little, but has never played year-round; he considers soccer to be his primary sport.

The quickness developed from years of soccer has helped him defeat more polished opponents on the court. With great speed and consistency, Fete has employed a sort of "human backstop" approach that turns his matches into battles of attrition.

"I may not be the best player, but I'll do my best to run down every ball. Even if I'm the underdog, I'll try to keep the better player out there as long as I can, make him work," Fete said.

"There's three great things about (Fete's) game: his athleticism, his consistency, and his head — mentally, he's very tough to break," Fielden said.

Last year, Fete compiled a 6-4 record at third singles, and placed second with Riede in first doubles at the GMC meet. This season, the two will likely team up again at the sectional meet.

"In the past few years, no one has gotten out of sectionals. But I think we have a good chance with (Riede) and (Fete) at doubles. This could be the year," Fielden said.

Fete said he wants to play soccer in college and has aspirations of becoming a pharmacist. He doesn't plan on playing tennis collegiately, but Fielden believes he has the talent to do so.

"I think his first love is soccer," he said. "But he's as good as (Riede), and (Riede) is playing Division II tennis next year at the University of Charleston (W.Va.)."

Today, Fairfield (4-4, 2-3 GMC) competes in the preliminary round of the Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coach's Classic, a meet held at several locations. The Indians will play at Indian Hill and Cincinnati Country Day High Schools.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5128 or edawisha@coxohio.com.

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