With many new players stepping out onto the court this year and returning some talent from last year, the Tyrone Boys Tennis Team is optimistic that they can have a successful 2016 campaign.  However, the team is off to a shaky start, going 0-3 in their first three matches and still looking for their first set win of the season.

But the slow start has not deterred Head Coach Randy Irvin.  He has set the bar high for his athletes and is enthusiastic about his team this year.

“Our goals are to win the Mountain league and to keep improving every match as the season goes on,” said Irvin, “We have a tough schedule this year but I think the guys are up for the challenge. I am really excited for the guys to get out and see what they can do against some of these bigger schools.”

Coach Irvin is concerned that the weather has been interfering with getting practice time on the courts, but he likes the potential on his team.  “We have a very athletic team. The boys are very hardworking, and a good group to be around,” said Irvin.

Returning players are Ethan Vipond (10th grade), and Michael Lewis (11th grade) New players are Sean McGovern (12th), AJ Grassi (11th), Jacob Meredith (10th), Trevor Fink (9th), Noah Irvin (9th), and Conner Wertz (9th).

Action began on March 23 in a home match against Winder. Winder, already having played four matches, definitely had an upper hand in experience on the Eagles. After five grueling singles matches and two doubles, the boys from home suffered a hard 0-7 loss.

Unfortunately, the results from their next two matches would end in similar fashion. With losses at Central Mountain and another at the rackets of the Winder Ramblers, the boys tumbled to the 0-3 start they currently hold.

“It’s tough playing some larger schools that have some more experienced players, but its good that we have these arduous matches early on in our schedule that will only help us improve our skills” spoke handsome junior, AJ Grassi.

The boys are hoping for a Mountain League win today, and to change their luck, as they travel with Coach Irvin away to face Huntington.

3/23/16 Windber 7, Tyrone 0 – Home

Singles:

#1) Brandon Statler (W) def. Ethan Vipond (T) 6-1, 6-0.

#2) Donny Lucas (W) def. Michael Lewis (T) 6-3, 7-5.

#3) Andrew Walsh (W) def. Anthony Grassi (T) 6-2, 6-0.

#4) Nathan Bailey (W) def. Noah Irvin (T) 6-0, 6-0.

#5) Cameron Thompson (W) def. Jacob Meredith (T) 6-2, 6-4.

Doubles:

#1) Andrew Walsh, and Ryan Statler (W) def. Ethan Vipond, and Sean McGovern (T) 10-7.

#2) Zach Denk, and Kyle Yoder (W) def. Treavor Fink, and Conner Wertz (T) 11-10(7-3).

Windber (1-4), Tyrone (0-1)

4/1/16 –  Central Mountain 7, Tyrone 0  – Away

Singles:

#1) Kline Williams (CM) def. Ethan Vipond (T) 6-3, 6-2.

#2) Mitch Wheary (CM) def. Michael Lewis (T) 6-1, 6-1.

#3) Matt Marasco (CM) def. Anthony Grassi (T) 6-1, 6-2.

#4) Jordan Confer (CM) def. Treavor Fink (T) 6-1, 6-0.

#5) Raahi Chapla (CM) def. Noah Irvin (T) 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles:

#1) Quentin Falls, and Casey Eisenhower (CM) def. Ethan Vipond, and Michael Lewis (T) 6-4, 3-6, (11-9).

#2) Morgan Talbat, and Bryce Bitner (CM) def. Sean McGovern, and Conner Wertz (T) 6-0, 6-0.

Tyrone (0-2)

4/5/16 – Windber 5, Tyrone 0. Away

Singles:

#1) Brandon Statler (W) def. Ethan Vipond (T) 6-0, 6-0.

#2) Donny Lucas (W) def. AJ Grassi (T) 6-3, 6-1.

#3) Andrew Walsh (W) def. Trevor Fink (T) 6-1, 6-2.

Doubles:

#1) Cameron Thompson, and Nathan Bailey (W) def. Noah Irvin, and Conner Wertz (T) 6-0, 6-1.

#2) Bret Tantorno, and Ryan Statler (W) def. Forfeit (T).

Windber (3-4), Tyrone (0-3)