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Hornets Tennis
4/23/2015 Chillicothe 5,
Savannah 4
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Story by Coach
Bob Long
The Chillicothe Hornets boys' tennis team (8-1) played
the Savannah Savages Thursday, with the winner having the
conference lead. With wins over conference foes Benton,
LeBlond and Cameron, a win over Savannah would be important.
Both teams had lost one player from their 2014 teams (Nathan
Sims-Chillicothe), in a season in which they split matches.
Chillicothe winning the regular season and Savannah winning
the District team match.
The match began with doubles play. Hornets Gabe Poling
and Brandon Lamp (playing together for the first time) were
defeated by Savages Craig Helm and Chase Furgison 0-8. Garrett
Peterson and Nate McKiddy beat Baxter Krumme and Briley Krumme
for the second time this season. Winning 8-0 at the Cameron
tournament, Peterson and McKiddy held off the duo for an 8-4
win. Cody Evans and Lane Bonderer lost to Kennyn Sandy and
Zane Beattie 3-8. The strategy of using Poling at number one
doubles in hopes of securing at least two doubles wins
back-fires and singles victories were going to be difficult.
In singles, Gabe Poling regained his form defeating
Craig Helm 8-1. Gabe got out to a quick lead and left the
outcome to little doubt. Garrett Peterson beat Baxter Krumme
8-4. Garrett remained patient and eventually broke the back
and forth battle open. Nate McKiddy down 4-6 to his opponent
Chase Furgison won the final four games and moved Chillicothe
one victory away from securing the fifth and deciding match
win. McKiddy and Furgison's match was entertaining to watch.
Both players are terrific athletes and mirror images of each
other on the tennis court. Brandon Lamp defeated Kennyn Sandy
8--4 shortly after Nate's match finished giving the Hornets
the decisive fifth win. Brandon led throughout and Sandy
picked up his game out of desperation. With the team win in
hand, juniors Cody Evans and Lane Bonderer took the court in
the 4-court complex. Cody Evans lost 4-8 to Savannah's Spencer
Rosenak. Lane Bonderer fought back from an early deficit, but
was unable to take the lead, losing to Briley Krumme 5-8.
The Hornet varsity fought back after losing 2 out of 3
doubles. I told them, "we need them all' as the four top
players headed out to face their singles opponents. Mid way
through Gabe and Brandon looked as if they would win, but
Garrett and Nate were in tight battles. Garrett began to find
space and Nate almost always wins the close ones. Brandon
began with a four game lead and Savannah's Kennyn Sandy
started playing as he had nothing to lose. Nate finished off
his mini-comeback and Brandon held off the determined Sandy to
secure the conference win. Lane Bonderer played well against
the experienced Briley Krumme, bringing the match to a close
5-6 score. Coach Traci Westfall has an excellent program and
is always gracious in victory or defeat. The Hornets play the
Kirksville Tigers at Daryl Danner Memorial park on Tuesday,
April 28.
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