By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Buchanan's varsity tennis team claimed an 8-0 Lakeland Conference win Wednesday evening against Brandywine, improving the Bucks' record to 4-1 overall (3-0 in conference).
"Brandywine is always a big rivalry for us and I felt our guys in all flights were focused," Buchanan coach Steve Bender said. "Brandywine is very athletic and they put enough pressure on us across the board to get our attention. I know they will be a much improved team by the conference tournament."
At No. 1 singles, True Sulier handed Tyler Espick a 6-2, 6-0 loss. Mario Bonardi took a 6-1, 6-3 win over Billy McDonald at No. 2 singles. At No. 3 singles. Eric Lentz was victorious over Travis Bakeman, 6-1 and 6-0 and Brad Burns defeated Matt Harvey 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles.
In doubles play, Harper Sulier and Taylor Oake took a 6-0, 6-0 win over Jeremy Hechtl and Dan Whitney. Dillon Bailey and Andrew Frederick defeated Joel Perry and Tyler Weeks at No. 2 doubles, 6-0, 6-1. Sean Thornton and Gabriel Meirelles took a 6-1, 6-1 win over Greg Beaver and Ethan Mason at No. 3 doubles, while Andrew Scoggin and Josh Niven defeated Trey Brenner and Jesse Hochstedler at No. 4 doubles, 6-0, 6-2.
"I felt the big difference in this match was our experience. We play 10 seniors who have two and one half years of varsity match play. Brandywine is young, but with the very talented athletes they have, the future looks bright," Bender said.