Greenwich 5 Staples 2
5/2/2012
Singles
1. Tyler Kratky (G) def. Jake Hirschberg (S) 6-2,6-1
2. Zack Niklaus (G) def. Graham Hyman (S) 6-2,6-4
3. Blake Niehaus (G) def. Josh Moskovitz (S) 6-0,6-3
4. Tatsuya Taskaki (G) def. Baxter Stein (S). 6-2,7-5
5. Ari Cepelewich (G) def. Connor Mitnick (S) 6-3,1-6,7-6(5)
Doubles
1. Steve Thomson / Zack Levin (S) def. Mike Grund / CJ Purse (G) 6-4,6-4
2. Evan Davis / Jack Reardon (S) def. Louis McKenzie / Shaw Speer (G) 6-4,6-4
Match order of finish: 1S, 2S,2D,1D,3S,4S(clinching match),5S
Match Recap
After a thrilling 2011, Greenwich and Staples met again in a matchup between the two best tennis teams in the state. This time, however, Greenwich emerged victorious, avenging for their loss to Staples in the 2012 state finals. Greenwich raised their record to 9-0, while Staples suffered their first loss of the season, dropping to 10-1 in FCIAC play.
At #1 singles, Greenwich’s Tyler Kratky defeated Jake Hirschberg, 6-2, 6-1. Kratky is arguably the top player in the state, and is the favorite to bring home the class LL state championship later this spring. Greenwich also took the second and third singles spots, when Zack Nicklaus defeated Graham Hyman 6-2, 6-4, and Blake Niehaus beat Josh Moskovitz, 6-0, 6-3. However, Staples stayed in the match with their solid doubles play. At #1 doubles, big serving helped Steve Thomson and Zach Levin defeat their Greenwich counterparts, Mike Grund and CJ Purse, 6-4, 6-4. At #2 doubles, Evan Davis and Jack Reardon kept Staples alive with a solid 6-4, 6-4 victory over Louis McKenzie and Shaw Speer. With Greenwich leading the match 3-2, Tatsuya Tasaki clinched it for the Cardinals, coming back from 5-2 down in the second set to defeat Staples’ Baxter Stein at #4 singles, 6-2, 7-5. With the match already over, Ari Cepelewich beat Connor Mitnick in a 3 set battle, winning 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(5).
Next up for Greenwich is Ridgefield, while Staples travels to Norwalk to face off against the Bears.
— by contributing writer Luke Foreman
More photos are available under PHOTOS tab.
Update: For Online article click here
Upcoming Matches:
Thu., 5/3 Norwalk Away – Norwalk High School
Staples Wreckers Boys Tennis 