Since losing to Greenwood in the district semifinals last spring, the Springfield Catholic boys tennis team has had revenge on its mind. On Wednesday afternoon, they put that revenge to action.
With the Class 1 District 10 championship at stake, Catholic swept Greenwood 5-0, taking home its first district title in years.
"It's great," said Catholic junior Ethan Chanliongco. "The past two years, we've lost in the first few rounds of districts, so it's good to finally win."
PHOTOS: GREENWOOD VS. CATHOLIC
Catholic (17-3) opened the day with three wins in doubles, meaning it only needed to win two of six potential singles matches to take home a district crown. After sophomore Jason Nayar beat Carson Turner and Adam Chanliongco beat Joseph Brock (6-1, 6-0), the match was called.
"It was hard because it was really hot out here today," said Nayar, Catholic's top singles player who beat Turner (6-0, 6-0) in the top singles match of the day. "I know Carson is a really consistent player, so I wanted to keep up with his level of consistency. I also wanted to be aggressive whenever I could. That was my plan heading into the match."
Both Nayar and Ethan Chanliongco were complimentary of first-year Catholic coach Justin Fravel as a key reason to the team's success.
"He's been a big key for us," Nayar said.
Added Chanliongco: "We've had some great teamwork, with the help of Coach Fravel for keeping us together."
"We have got such a great group of kids," Fravel said. "Our players have really stepped up. That was a big goal of theirs: to make it farther this year than we did last year."
Catholic, which has no seniors among its top six players, now advances to sectionals and will hope to keep this fun season alive.
"They work together well, everyone really supports each other well," Fravel said. "We don't have ego issues or anything like that. Our leaders, Jason and Ethan, really step up and are good to help out our younger guys. A lot of people think tennis is all individual, but there's really a big team component to it. Just like today, we had to win five matches. We were all working together (to accomplish that).
"These guys have been able to work together and focus on the common goal, which has helped us out a lot."
Springfield Catholic 5, Greenwood 0
Singles
No. 1 Jason Nayar (Catholic) def. Carson Turner (Greenwood) 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 Ethan Chanliongco (Catholic) DNF Christian Nau (Greenwood)
No. 3 Cooper Croley (Catholic) DNF Trevor Engleman (Greenwood)
No. 4 Adam Chanliongco (Catholic) def. Joseph Brock (Greenwood) 6-1, 6-0
No. 5 Keegan Randell (Catholic) DNF Tate Dukewits (Greenwood)
No. 6 Ryan Miller (Catholic) DNF Parker Mee (Greenwood)
Doubles
Nayar/Croley (Catholic) def. Nau/Engelman (Greenwood) 8-2
E. Chanliongco/Randell (Catholic) def. Turner/Brock (Greenwood) 8-3
A. Chanliongco/Miller (Catholic) def. Dukewits/Litherland (Greenwood) 8-0
