Talawanda tennis taking on the best
Friday, May 02, 2008
The future is now for the Talawanda High School boys tennis team, but the future may also last for several years.
The Braves entered the 2008 season with a solid lineup, but started with three straight losses. Then, they began to roll up the wins and head into the Fort Ancient Valley Conference with a lot of promise next Tuesday, May 6.
Extras
Talawanda hosted the Mason "B" team last Wednesday, April 23, which ended in a 4-1 win.
As the players took the court for that nonleague competition against the Mason, coach Pete Thomas said it was a team the Braves would have a hard time defeating, but one they were capable of beating.
It was significant because it marked only the second time this season that Thomas had his full season-opening lineup playing and the team righted itself after the season-opening defeats with the help of junior varsity players who earned varsity letters for their effort and set the stage for next year.
For now, however, the team has a more short-term goal, Tuesday's FAVC tournament.
"If all goes well at the league tournament, we should be league champs on May 6," Thomas said. "With things we've done so far, it should happen."
A big part of their win streak was three wins against Scarlet Division foes, beating all by 5-0 scores. Norwood and Mount Healthy do not have tennis teams and Talawanda has defeated Northwest, Edgewood and Ross in the division.
While Talawanda has been solid at all positions, despite some players missing matches this season, they have been led by sophomore Matt Sherba, at first singles.
Sherba, a district qualifier last year took a 9-1 record into last week's match against Mason which he won to go 10-0.
Sherba was named FAVC Player of the Week Sunday for his play last week.
Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or bratterman@coxohio.com.
