Panther Tennis Picks Up Big Win Against Franklin
Published: April 13, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.-- The GC Men traveled up Interstate 70 to Indianapolis on Saturday to take on the Franklin College Grizzlies. The Panthers were looking to avenge an 8-1 loss that they suffered last year at the hands of the Grizzlies. Fortunately, GC did just that, winning a close match 5-4.
The Panthers showed from the first ball of the match that this years match would be different. The #1 doubles tandem of Drew Herlein and Jon Urshan started things off right for the Panthers. They played their best match of the year, and quickly defeated a very tough Franklin team 8-1. #2 doubles would prove to be a much closer contest. After having the score tied at 6-6, Jordan Tingle and Alex Dowley made the shots at crunch time and pulled off the 8-6 victory. Soon after, Ryan Haas and Demetrius Bush closed out a very tight contest at #3 doubles with another 8-6 victory.
Freshman Jon Urshan continued his strong play by scoring a quick and decisive victory at #1 singles with a 6-1, 6-4 decision over Franklin senior Blake Wareham. That left the Panthers just one victory short of the team victory. After winning the first set 6-4 at #2 singles, Jordan Tingle found himself locked in a 4-4 tie in the second set. He was able to gain the first break of serve in the set and took a 5-4 lead. Tingle continued his strong serving and closed out the match for the Panthers with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. It was a benchmark victory for Tingle. He had lost to the same opponent last year in the Panthers loss. Tingles victory proved to be crucial as the Panthers lost their last four singles matches in very close fashion. Three of the them going three sets.
Coach Brannon stated Last year we just didnt have enough experience to win close matches because we were so young. I said to the guys at the beginning of this year that this would be a different year. This match today was a great indicator of how far we have come as a team. We believe the best is still yet to come!
The Panthers record now stands at 8-6. They will travel to Elsah, IL on Tuesday at 5pm for an important conference matchup with the defending conference champion Principia College.
