Plymouth doubles moves on to regional round
CROWN POINT — The Plymouth #1 Doubles Team of Seniors Nick Manzuk and Owen Walleske travelled to Crown Point Wednesday night to play the top doubles team from Rensselaer Central in an Individual Doubles Sectional Match.
The Plymouth duo proceeded to win a close one, 6-3, 6-4.
Nick and Owen started out slow, losing the first three games in the first set to begin the match with a 3-0 deficit. Plymouth had game points in two of those first three games, so it just seemed like a matter of time before the Pilgrim duo capitalized. After the slow start, Nick and Owen kept their composure and rallied to win the next six games to take set number one 6-3. The highlight was Plymouth holding serve in a tight game at 5-3 in the first set. Overall, that game went to deuce 10+ times before the Plymouth duo secured the set.
The second set was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with neither team being able to hold more than a one-game advantage. With the set all tied up at 4-4, Plymouth was able to break Rensselaer’s serve and then hold serve (in another close game) to secure the match 6-4 and advance on in the State Doubles Tournament.
With the results from Wednesday night’s team match (Culver Academy winning the Team Regional Championship over Lowell and also winning at 1D), Nick and Owen were crowned Individual Doubles Sectional Champions and move on to the Individual Doubles Regional Tournament, to be played in Indianapolis next Saturday.
“Overall, very excited for Nick and Owen to pull out this match and move on in the Individual Tournament,” said Plymouth coach Brad Haeck. “They kept their composure after losing the first three games and battled back very well. There were several tight games and moments throughout the match and I thought Nick and Owen played through those well. They played some high percentage tennis and gave themselves chances to win those key points. Being able to get first serves in play and serve into good locations was a key factor to being able to hold serve and finish off both sets. Nick and Owen competed well tonight, it was fun to watch.”
Plymouth’s ID Team will play in the Individual Doubles Regional Tournament at North Central High School in Indianapolis on Saturday, Oct. 18, 10:00 AM start.
