A highly anticipated season for Crawfordsville boys’ tennis started Tuesday with a 4-1 win over Fountain Central.
“We always know that Fountain Central has a good program,” Crawfordsville coach Craig Brainard said. “They had to make some changes with some injuries and that allowed us to have a good start, really all the way up and down the lineup.”
Fountain Central’s No. 1 singles player Gabe McCollum was nursing a bum ankle and teamed up with William Armstrong at No. 2 doubles for the Mustangs only win over Crawfordsville’s Ian Hurt and Nolan Watt 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
“I’m impressed with this Crawfordsville team,” longtime Fountain Central coach Chris Webb said. “I knew they were going to be tough. I thought we responded pretty well tonight at some spots. It’s good to get out and play.”
After graduating No. 1 singles player James Murphy, everybody in the Athenian lineup moved up a spot, while Jude Coursey slid into No. 3 singles and Hurt joined the varsity lineup for the first time.
Coursey beat Jose Duarte-Grojales 6-2, 6-0. At No. 2 singles, Rowan Gambrel won over Ayden Batchelor 6-3, 6-2, while Wyatt Motz defeated Skyler Hoagland 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot.
“Good to see Wyatt do what he does best and stay steady, seeing Rowan find a rhythm and get some of the nerves out, and then I’m really excited to see Coursey at three singles this season, because he’s an athlete that’s turned into a quality tennis player,” Brainard added.
Henry Bannon and Jude Hutchison teamed up for 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 1 doubles over Levi McTagertt and Levi Miller.
Crawfordsville is at McCutcheon on today.
With a healthy McCollum back at No. 1 singles, the Fountain Central lineup will likely change down the road. The Mustangs will entertain Frankfort on Wednesday.
“This match gives us a chance to see where we want to be, and what are some things we need to do to get ourselves there,” Webb said about the Mustangs.
