Varsity Tennis Pushes Past Carlisle, 7-2

Jim Tung

With many school schedules affected by a late-season snowstorm, the Chiefs of Carlisle School (Martinsville) journeyed up US-57 to take on their rivals from Chatham on the eve of Spring Break. While the courts were clear, whenever the sun slid behind clouds, it seemed more like winter than spring.  Both the Tigers and Chiefs overcame numb hands and faces to epitomize the power of an internal fire in the doubles ladders. While the singles ladder had already predetermined the team result, neither Tiger or Chief duo was ready to just pack up without some fun on the courts.

At #1 Singles, Tiger Tyler Morris (sophomore, New Bern, NC) found himself in the unusual position of conservative defender against the smooth attack of Chief Krutik Nigam.  Morris persevered through a broken string (and change to an unfamiliar racket) to finish the match 10-2. At #2, senior Youssef Abouzied (Giza, Egypt) demonstrated his usual passion and held himself to a higher standard to take a 10-1 victor from Carlisle, senior Shaco Zhang.  David Kiesnowski (sophomore, Appleton, WI) worked senior Preston Painter to a 10-0 victory. Evan Troast (Lighthouse Point, FL, 8th grader) similarly worked senior John Yang to a 10-1 victory. Sebastian Richardson (Charlotte, NC, sophomore) looked like he was enjoying a summer day in his 10-0 effort over Cody Smith.  Aiden Steinbach (Durham, NC, junior) overcame some early-match struggles to finish his effort against the recently added senior Kevin Kernodle, 10-1.

With the score 6-0 after singles, the Tigers doubles ladder was still important as a character-building and team chemistry exercise.  At #1, Abouzied and Troast (our oldest and youngest players) took on Nigam and Zhang. The Carlisle duo refused to be discouraged by being down a break and made their move at 4-5 to shove the score of 7-5 behind fast exchanges and protracted rallies.  Abouzied and Troast made their tactical adjustments and for a few games, it looked like the momentum was continue Tiger-ward. With the match at 8-7, the Chiefs held serve to make it 8-8 and the 12-point tie-breaker was used to determine the match. Behind solid serves and quick volleys, the final net found the Tigers up 9-8 (7-4).  At #2 doubles, Sam Wilkerson (NYC, NY, 8th grader) and Maddox McCluer (Hickory, NC, 8th grader) were exploring both duo chemistry issues as well as the surprises that Painter and Yang had for them. With neither side able to clearly close out points, the score ratcheted steadily up to 8-8 before the tie-breaker saw a Chief victory, 8-9 (2-7).  At #3 doubles, local boys Walter Thompson (Chatham, VA, freshman) and Elisha Shelton (Danville, VA, freshman) had both the advantage and disadvantage of the sunniest court. They may have been in the warmest spot of the Landon Tennis Center, but also found the sun a definite factor in service and lobs. Smith and Kernodle pulled out the second Chief victory, 3-8.

On the exhibition side of things, Hosny Maklouf (Cairo, Egypt, junior) took the opportunity to get experience.  

The Men of the Match were Youssef Abouzied and Evan Troast.  In their first partnership under pressure, they worked on communication and court position against an opponent that was rightly willing to take advantage of any misunderstandings or errors.  As the tension increased and both of their court times stretched towards 2 hours, they worked to keep their heads clear and use their partnership as an advantage over each of their singles styles.  

As usual, the players appreciated the support of the faculty, staff, canine-companions, and Cadets that came to watch.  The win takes Hargrave Tennis record to 2-1 overall (1-1 in VIC).

Our next match will be at home against Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg) on Wednesday, April 4.  

Individual Match Scores:

Singles

#1 – Tyler Morris v Krutik Nigam 10-2

#2 – Youssef Abouzied v Shaco Zhang 10-1

#3 – David Kiesnowski v Preston Painter 10-0

#4 – Evan Troast v John Yang 10-1

#5 – Sebastian Richardson v Cody Smith 10-0

#6 – Aidan Steinbach v Kevin Kernodle 10-1

Doubles

#1 – Abouzied / Troast v Nigam / Zhang 9-8 (7-4)

#2 – Sam Wilkerson and Maddox McCluer v Painter / Yang 8-9 (2-7)

#3 – Walter Thompson and Elisha Shelton v Smith / Kernodle 3-8

Abouzied