Hawf’s return boosts Bruins

Rock Bridge seniors shone with the sun at the Columbia Quad Duals on Friday.

Facing some of the strongest competition of the season, the boys’ tennis team beat Joplin 7-2 and Thomas Jefferson 6-3 to remain undefeated at Bethel Park — a streak of 52 wins dating back to 2002.

The wins didn’t come easily, especially in the Bruins’ second match of the day against Thomas Jefferson. As some spectators sat under large umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun, heat and fatigue began to take a toll on both teams. Thomas Jefferson got the worst of it though, when the Cavaliers’ top player, Mark Silva, was forced to retire due to dehydration and cramps, giving Rock Bridge default wins at No. 1 singles and doubles.

Even with the gift against Thomas Jefferson, several seniors gave strong performances to keep the streak alive. Ryan Olson won his No. 3 singles match against Joplin, and Daniel Lopez won both his singles matches in the No. 2 position, including a hard fought 7-6, 6-4 win over the Cavaliers’ William Humphreys.

“I think that was the pivotal match in the second one,” coach Ben Loeb said.

Lopez said Thomas Jefferson was the toughest team the Bruins have faced this season and remembered losing badly to Humphreys two years ago at a tournament in Kansas City. That memory made his win on Friday all the more gratifying.

“I just didn’t have a game that was big enough to beat him (then),” he said. “Our last meeting wasn’t really a good match at all.”

The Bruins (9-0) also got a boost from senior Scott Hawf. Hawf won both his singles matches at No. 5 and teamed up with senior Eric Sterchi to win both No. 3 doubles matches.

“It was tough,” Hawf said. “We stepped up and we played really well.”

Loeb also appreciated Hawf’s efforts, even telling him afterwards, “If you want to drink a soda tonight, go for it.”

Hawf returned to the team this season after sitting out his junior year. He said he had lost some motivation after his sophomore season, and didn’t feel the drive to play. That changed his senior year.

“I kind of got back into it slowly, and I realized that I could help the team out,” he said. “I missed hanging out with the guys so much. I just wanted to get back out there and do something instead of sitting around.”

He’s helped to fill the void left when the Bruins lost five players due to graduation.

“I’m glad that he decided to play again this season,” Loeb said. “He’s done very well, and he’s been a big part of our team’s success.”

The team will need all its depth in the coming week. Lopez will be visiting Stanford, his destination next year, and will be unavailable against Springfield (IL) Monday and Glendale on Thursday. He’ll also miss the Mid-Missouri Invitational on Friday.

“I think we’ll be able to step it up,” Hawf said. “To be a good competitor, you’ve got to take that pressure and run with it. Make it happen.”