Netters dominate region again
Mustangs sweep singles and 3-of-4 doubles to qualify at all seven spots; 4A state tourney in Pueblo awaits.
It was a business-like performance that was as thorough as it was expected.
Mullen boys tennis, the host for Class 4A Region 3, dominated the seven-team group, qualified at every singles and double spot, and won six championships on Wednesday at two sites, at Pinehurst Country Club and on campus.
Led by terrific singles play, the Mustangs continued their dominance in regionals with an eye toward the 4A state tournament, to be held in Pueblo in a couple of weekends.
As will be the case at state, playbacks aren’t offered during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but no second chances didn’t stop the Mustangs from qualifying a full contingent.
At No. 1 singles, senior Mac Caldwell overcame some early nervousness to handle Gabe Wu of Discovery Canyon 6-0, 6-2.
“It was good,” Caldwell said. “I played smart … (Wu) is a good player, a solid player, and I was just using my lefty serve and running as hard as I could from side-to-side. I knew I’d be OK if I played my game.”
Another senior, George Henry Hanzel, second at 4A No. 2 singles a year ago, methodically downed Lucas Krambeck of George Washington 6-3, 6-1.
“This was our goal, everyone’s goal,” Hanzel said of qualifying for Pueblo.
Sophomore Jack Barker made it a clean sweep at singles, winning 6-3, 6-2 over Jake Lewis of Evergreen.
Mustangs doubles were nearly as dominant.
Dante Dino-Greg McMullan breezed 6-0, 6-4 at No. 1. It was a similar case for Luc Caldwell-Alex Evans at No. 2, who won 6-1, 6-2. Patrick Duke-Colin Mackenzie had to work a bit at No. 3 before winning 6-0, 6-7, 6-4, and Sean Phelps-Blake Zaragoza lost 2-6, 7-5, 1-6, but still qualified.
Now, the Mustangs have more than a week to prepare for season-ending state tournament. Second a year ago, the best finish in program history, according to head coach Jacob Ohrman, they entertain ideas of grabbing their first team crown and as many of the individual titles as possible.
“I’m just going to work on some things I maybe didn’t do as well and get them going for state and see how I do,” Caldwell said. “If I play my best, I can beat pretty much everyone.”
Said Hanzel: “I think we all just have to play our best and come ready to play. I think we have a shot.”
RESULTS
Team scores – Mullen 59, Discovery Canyon 23, George Washington 18, Littleton 12, Evergreen 10, Conifer and Northfield 0.
Team scores – Mullen 59, Discovery Canyon 23, George Washington 18, Littleton 12, Evergreen 10, Conifer and Northfield 0.
Individual Matches
No. 1 singles – Mac Caldwell, Mullen, def. Gabe Wu, Discovery Canyon, 6-0, 6-2.
No. 2 singles – George Henry Hanzel, Mullen, def. Lucas Krambeck, George Washington, 6-3, 6-1.
No. 3 singles – Jack Barker, Mullen, def. Jake Lewis, Evergreen, 6-3, 6-2.
No. 1 doubles – Dante Dino-Greg McMullan, Mullen, def. Sean Bratkowsky-Landry Jones, Discovery Canyon, 6-0, 6-4.
No. 2 doubles – Luc Caldwell-Alex Evans, Mullen, def. Grant Thurman-Caleb Trevillia, Duscovery Canyon, 6-1, 6-2.
No. 3 doubles – Patrick Duke-Colin Mackenzie, Mullen, def. Evan Gustafson-Jason Pabelico, Discovery Canyon, 6-0, 6-7, 6-4.
No. 4 doubles – Alex Thassu-Michael Wu, Discovery Canyon, def. Sean Phelps-Blake Zaragoza, Mullen, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.
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