March 28, 2024

Newton boys tennis team ends long drought against Norwalk

Cardinals go 5-1 in singles against Warriors

A dominating run in singles competition led Newton’s boys tennis team to a Little Hawkeye Conference win over Norwalk at Aurora Heights Park on Thursday.

The Cardinals won five of the six singles matches and downed the Warriors, 7-4. It was the first win over Norwalk “in many years,” according to head coach Jared Gerber.

“I’m really proud of how the guys played tonight,” Gerber said. “It was the best match we’ve had to date by far. There were lots of close matches and tiebreaks and we kept our composure well.”

The Cardinals were 5-1 in singles matches and the one loss came from No. 1 Blake Baumgartner, who was defeated 6-7 (0), 7-6 (1), 11-9.

The easiest win came from John Valtman at No. 4 singles. He defeated Casey Greenlee 6-3, 6-1. Trent Hamand was a 6-3, 7-5 winner over Hayden Steele at No. 2 singles.

William Muckler won his match at No. 5 singles in straight sets against Cameron Nguyen but it was 6-4, 7-6 (5). Thomas Hodnett and Landon Heisdorffer both won three-set matches.

Hodnett won his No. 3 singles match 6-1, 6-7 (4), 10-4 over Adrian Bush and Heisdorffer won 6-3, 1-6, 10-5 over Austin Mills at No. 6 singles.

“We played the big points well, which is the key to tennis,” Gerber said. “Each position was huge in a match this close and the guys bought into the fact that each match was important.”

Norwalk had a 3-2 advantage in doubles competition, but the early advantage for Newton held up in the final score.

Baumgartner and Hamand won their No. 1 doubles match 6-1, 6-3 over Steele and Mills.

The other win came from Seth Adams and Kyler Van Brogen at No. 5 doubles. They defeated Keaton Basinger and Alexander Younadam 6-3, 6-4.

Muckler and Heisdorffer lost in three sets at No. 3 doubles and Hodnett and Valtman lost a second-set tiebreaker in their two-set loss at No. 2 doubles.

“Overall, it was an awesome match,” Gerber said. “Though he lost, Blake played an awesome match at No. 1 and he and Trent dominated at No. 1 doubles. Johnny also had a great match at No. 4 singles and played his game well.”