Tiebreaker hands loss to Hickman

The Hickman boys tennis team lost its first match of the season 5-4 to Helias on Monday at Hickman.

The match was decided by a tiebreaker at No. 3 doubles with Hickman junior Sang Chung and sophomore Alex Turner losing 6-4, 7-5. Hickman coach Andy Materer said he saw both good and bad things from his team in the loss.

“They put up a good fight.” Materer said. “We’re going to have learn how to close a match.”

Things looked bad for the Kewpies early when senior Justin Guevera suffered leg cramps and lost his No. 2 singles match 6-2, 6-2. The cramps prevented Guevera from playing doubles, which Materer said had a major impact on the team.

“It gave (Helias) momentum, and it put the pressure on our guys.” Materer said.

Hickman senior Dan Fine stayed calm at No. 1 singles, winning 6-4, 6-3.

“We just had spring break, so being back on the court felt unusual.” Fine said. “Once I got settled in, I think I did a pretty good job,”

Materer says Fine was the most valuable player of the match.

“He was fantastic,” Materer said. “Is he ready to play at No. 1? The answer is yes. He came out and took over.”

Fine was not the only Kewpies player that had to step up his game. At No. 6 singles, Turner came back from losing the first set, 6-2, to win the next set 6-4 and the tiebreaker 10-5.

“We really needed the win.” Materer said. “I’m counting on us on winning at No. 5 and No. 6.”

Junior Brandon Page also had to battle to come back after he fell behind 1-4 in his first set at No. 4 singles.

“In the wind I tend to self destruct.” Page said. “I kept telling myself that if I kept it in play, I would win.”

Page eventually won 6-4, 6-2. Materer said Page showed that he has the potential to play higher in the lineup.

“Brandon doesn’t want to play from behind in the wind, but he played with patience and worked his slice shot,” Materer said. “He showed tremendous maturity.”