Newton boys split tennis double dual with Saydel, state-ranked Ballard

Playing without one of its varsity singles players, the Newton boys tennis team split a pair of non-conference matchups during a double dual at Aurora Heights Park on Friday.

The Cardinals opened their afternoon with a 6-3 win over Saydel before losing 10-1 to Class 1A No. 5 Ballard.

Ethan Valtman, Evan Marshall, Ezra Bartell and Damien Smith all won in straight sets against the Eagles, while Kaden Marshall clinched the team win with a three-set victory at No. 4 singles.

Bartell and Smith both won 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3 and No. 5 singles, respectively. The duo lost a three-set match in doubles that featured two tiebreaker sets and a 10-7 loss in the third set.

Valtman claimed a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 1 singles and Evan Marshall won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2 singles. The duo then teamed up to win 6-1, 6-2 in doubles.

It was the only doubles win for the Cardinals against Saydel, which fell to 9-3.

Kaden Marshall dominated the first set 6-2 at No. 4 singles, but the freshman needed a 10-4 win in the third set after falling 6-1 in the second.

Newton (4-7) played the double dual without No. 4 singles player Ethan Freese, who missed the meet due to an ankle injury.

Valtman got the only win against state-ranked Ballard (9-2) and is now 15-2 this spring. He won his No. 1 singles match 10-5. Evan Marshall lost 10-6 in his singles match.

Valtman and Gentry Swarts and Smith and Bartell both lost 11-9 in their doubles matches and Noah Tremel and Garett Crandall fell 10-8 and Keary Sanger and Zane Munger lost 10-6.