Netters stomp Marion (08/17/05)

MARION — Jay County’s boys tennis team got started in impressive fashion Tuesday, opening its season with a victory against one of the teams it may have to face again at the end of the year.

The Patriots scored a 4-1 victory over the sectional rival Marion Giants, getting wins at all three singles positions and No. 1 doubles.

The seniors set the pace in the first match of the year, with No. 1 doubles pair Tyler Rigby and Randy Evans rolling to a 6-1, 6-1 win over Kyle Carter and Ryan Wright. The Patriot duo is coming off a 2004 season in which they were one of the final 16 teams alive in the state doubles tournament.

Fellow senior Kurt Hess also cruised at No. 1 singles, topping Tyler Edmonds 6-2, 6-1. The victory pushed him to within one of the half-century mark as he is now 49-12 in his career at JCHS.

Sophomore Joshua Ludy also turned in a straight set win as he topped Jigar Patel 6-3, 6-2 at No. 2 singles. Freshman Phillip Powell overcame some first-match jitters, rallying in the final two sets at No. 3 singles to defeat Ryan Newton 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The lone defeat of the night for the Patriots came at No. 2 doubles. Thomas McCowan and Heath Rigby played a couple of close sets, but lost to Max Fisher and Kevin Aaron 7-5, 7-6 (7-2).[[In-content Ad]]