Raiders battle Haddon Township through four three-set matches
OCEAN CITY – The Red Raider boys tennis team is off to a 3-0 start this season after a big win Monday against Haddon Township (3-1) in which four of the five matches went to three sets.
The Ocean City High School boys tennis team handed the Colonial League leader its first loss of the season.
Only Ocean City’s second doubles team was able to get off the courts in two sets with Luke Wagner and Ethan Meron winning 6-3, 6-2 over Haddon Township’s Nicholas Cosenza and Baxter Gallagher.
Ocean City’s first doubles of Pat Lonergan and Jackson Barnes lost their first set 3-6 against Ben Hintz and Rylan Martinelli, but stormed back to win the next two 6-1, 6-2.
Haddon Township first singles Ryan Earnhardt was able to beat Ocean City’s No. 1, Charles DiCicco, after losing the first set 2-6. He topped DiCicco 6-2, 6-2 to earn his team’s only victory on the day.
At second singles, Red Raider Chris Ganter lost his first set to Christian Erhardt 1-6, but won the next two 6-4, 6-1.
At third singles, Sawyer Lomax narrowly lost his first set, 4-6, to Haddon Township’s Alex Noone, but went 6-2, 6-4 in the next two to win his match.
“The guys battled through some adversity versus a great team,” head coach Tim Kelley said after the match. “Coach Capp and I are extremely proud of their efforts not only today, but every day in practice as well. With the trust they have in their coaches and the belief they have in one another, they make coaching this team a joy.” (Michael Cappelletti is his assistant coach.)
The boys have Christian Brothers Academy and Haddonfield also coming up this week, more tough opponents during spring break.
“We took the opportunity to schedule as many difficult out-of-conference matches as we could fit in our schedule. Regardless of the outcomes, by the end of the season, we will have faced plenty of high level of players from many groups,” Kelley said.
The team lineup is up in the air, but DiCicco, Ganter and Lomax are currently at first, second and third singles, respectively.
Along with Lonergan, Barnes, Meron and Wagner, Colin Bowman and Tracy Steingard are in the mix for doubles.
Asked about team goals, Kelly said, “We want to take the season one day at a time and enjoy the journey. When the coaches, players, parents and administrators all buy in and push in the same direction, any goal can be reached.”
The Red Raiders started the season by beating Atlantic City 4-1 and St. Augustine Prep 5-0.
The Christian Brothers match is at 11 a.m. today and the Haddonfield match is 4 p.m. Thursday, both at home.
– PHOTOS AND STORY By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff