By RYAN WALKER
The Norwell tennis team opened up Northeast 8 Conference play late Thursday afternoon with a 5-0 victory over Columbia City. Although the match didn’t appear close in the final tally, three of the five games went to a final set and was won nearly three hours after the five o’clock start.
The first two matches be completed and not go to three sets were won by No. 1 singles Ethan Ottinger, who defeated Tobey Krider 6-3, 6-1. The other match was won in a 6-0, 6-0 sweep by Grant Mishler over Sam Bechtold in No. 2 singles.
In the other matches, Bodie Zimmer won in No. 3 singles 5-7, 6-1, 6-0. The No. 1 doubles team of Winston Frauhiger and Brason Chaney battled through the longest match of the night against Ben Kuhmichel and Rhet Wilson and prevailed 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. Jaden Payne and Jake Hoover of Norwell defeated Andrew Hedrick and Sam Eberly 6-4, 4-6, and 6-2.
The junior varsity teams played as well, as Columbia City won 4-3 in four singles and three doubles matches. Winning in singles were Eddie Archbold, Gavin Reynolds, and Ignacio Albrecht. Brayden Wallace took the only defeat for the Knights. In doubles, Norwell was defeated in all four games. The pairs were Owen Cupp and Ayden Quintanilla, Ethan Williamson and James Simmerman, and lastly Alex Baker and Christian Weling.
The names of the players for Columbia City’s junior varsity were not provided.
The NE8 is typically a gauntlet top to bottom, mixing in multiple teams in the hunt by the end of the year. Norwell should be in the mix according to head coach Noah Tobias, who said the Knights will take any win they can get.
“It’s good because I knew that Columbia City was going to be one of those tougher teams in our conference this year,” Tobias said. “I think my guys showed that they are ready for tougher challenges. I think this just kind of proved what we’re kind of able to do this season.”
Other schools that could contend in the conference according to Tobias are East Noble and Leo. Last season, Norwell beat Leo 4-1, but lost to East Noble by that same score.
With the possibility of winning a conference championship, players have to adjust to the pressure for every conference match. For Norwell, that could be its biggest strength.
“We just had a talk about how there were probably some better tennis players on Columbia City’s team, but mentally we were just able to last a little bit longer, and in tennis, that’s so important,” Tobias said. “I think there is added pressure personally just because our conference has always been very competitive. A lot of people don’t realize that our conference is very competitive with tennis.”
Tobias has been involved with the tennis program since he was a freshman in high school. Him and his father Mark Tobias know the recent history of the conference and the goal of winning it is the ultimate goal.
When’s the last time the Knights won it?
“Oh gosh.” It’s been a long time, I have no idea.” Tobias admitted with eyes wide.
With the depth of the team in all spots, the coaching staff thinks Norwell’s going to be tough to beat, especially in its top two singles and doubles teams.
“I’ve started telling coaches this because I fully believe it. I think Grant Mishler, our No. 2 singles, is one of the best No. 2 singles in the area. With him and Ethan (Ottinger), very much I would say are interchangeable at this point. The same thing for No. 1 and (No.) 2 doubles. I think we’re going to be a very tough team to beat.”
ryan@news-banner.com
