By By STEVE MORRISON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The clouds cleared, the sun appeared like a long-lost friend, but unfortunately Brandywine's first boys' tennis match of the season on Tuesday afternoon at Plym Park, was not quit as bright.
While the temperature varied from 72-77 degrees, the unbearable humidity took its toll..
The South Haven Rams, despite losing five seniors to graduation this spring, dominated both the singles and doubles matches en route to an 8-0 victory.
South Haven coach Randy Bartels' squad put on a convincing display of excellent serves and game-saving returns to show that its second place finish in the tough Wolverine Conference last season could make them a legitimate challenger to perennial powerhouse Allegan this year.
Brandywine had some good moments to savor.
Junior Zac Edquist and his doubles partner, senior Jake Harris, gave their opponents Ivan Diaz and Caleb Jarvis all they could handle in three sets, winning the first set handily 6-3. Some real hustle in returns were forthcoming from Edquist and some laser serves soared off of Harris's racket in that first encounter.
Diaz and Jarvis won the final two sets 6-1 and 6-3.
Junior Chris Brady and sophomore Brandon Marazita battled hard in the second set of their match against junior Brodie Waaso and sophomore Dan Stein before succumbing to their opponents.
"I'm sure things are looking brighter. My first goal is to get as many good athletes who were not playing a fall sport to play for us. Secondly, I want to teach them the right way to play; lastly, to instill in them a desire to be the best player on the court on every day that they play," head coach Dave Sidenbender said.
Brandywine will be back in action on Thursday when it hosts Dowagiac in another non-conference match at Plym Park.
South Haven…8
Brandywine…0
Singles
1. Kyle Gruber (SH) d. Dan Blank 6-0, 6-0; 2. Doug Raak (SH) d. Travis Bakeman 6-1, 6-2; 3. Greg Maxwell (SH) d. Trey Brenner 6-0, 6-2; 4. Caleb Gruber (SH) d. Dan Whitney 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1. Uriah Maczala/Steve Bartels (SH) d. Ethan Mason/Shane Bankston 6-1, 6-1; 2. Ben Linstrom/Mitch Baker (SH) d. Tyler Weeks/Justin Palmer 6-0, 6-1; 3. Ivan Diaz/Caleb Jarvis (SH) d. Jake Harris/Zac Edquist 3-6, 6-1, 6-3; 4. Brodie Waaso/Dan Stein (SH) d. Chris Brady/Brandon Marazita 6-1, 6-3