Boys Tennis

The Trojans returned to play for the first time in 2020 and began their season with an all-around strong mental performance. #1d Sam McCarthy-Young (12)/James Duncan (12) took a 6-2, 6-4 win for the Trojans’ first point. Close behind was #2d William Pruitt (10)/Alex Konvolinka (10) who saw their match go 6-3, 6-1. Grant Millman (12) at #1s took a close lead in the first set 7-5. Throughout the second set, neither player could hold serve and the final five games were each a break. Grant took a commanding lead in the tiebreak and didn’t look back, winning 7-6(2) to clinch the third point for the Trojans. The fourth point came from #2s Sam Annakin, after falling 3-6 in the first set, collected himself and took a 6-3, 5-0 lead. Sam admits he “got comfortable” and strayed away from his game plan, landing him in a tight 5-4 third set. He closed it out ultimately getting off court with a 6-4 dub.

Against a stronger Ben Davis team than we have seen in a few years, the Trojans kept their cool and prevailed on all courts 5-0.

An “oh what could have been!” The Trojans fall 1-4 on the evening after ultimately possessing a chance to win the match 4-1. The sole point earned for the Trojans was an outstanding performance by #2d sophomores William Pruitt & Alex Konvolinka 6-3, 6-4. Grant Millman saw the light tonight, putting together a heck of a match at #1s. En route to a 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 6-10 defeat, Millman showed incredible patience and grit. He forced his opponent to beat him in 20 ball rallies time and time again, an outstanding feat considering the history of the name on the front of his opponents jersey. Sam Annakin at #2s had an equally impressive singles battle tonight also seeing an incredible number of 15-20 ball rallies. However, after winning the first set in confident stride 6-2, the Panther rallied to overcome his deficit taking Sam in three sets, 4-6, 4-6.

Varsity saw straight losses come on all courts despite close efforts by #2s Sam Annakin (4-6, 4-6) & #2d William Pruitt/William Dietrick (2-6, 6-7(5)).

The Wildcats put out their three best players at 1-2-3 singles tonight and cleaned house on the Trojans. The closest match was Sam Annakin at #2s, falling 3-6, 4-6. The sole Trojan victory came from an awesome performance by #1d Sam McCarthy-Young/James Duncan winning 6-4, 7-5. Sam McCarthy-Young moved exceptionally well at the net after spending the day before grinding through doubles drills. This earned him the Player of the Week award and shiny new blue tee!

Ethan Pratt (12) took on Levi Wojtalik at #1s and just keeps improving on the year. He played his best tennis to date this season, but Wojtalik was firing on all cylinders. Sam McCarthy-Young/James Duncan were in at #2d and fell down 4-6 in the first set before battling back to a 7-6(6) second set tiebreak win. The duo couldn’t keep up their dominance at the net and dropped a 3-6 third set.

Sam Annakin/James Duncan were in at #1d and took home a 6-0, 6-0 victory. Grant Millman was heavily tested at #1s where he had a very up and down match. He started up 1-0, but fell behind 1-4. He then strung together the next 11/12 games to take a 7-5, 5-1 lead. He let Mark Baker hang around before closing out the second set 6-3. Proud of him as he dug deep and found his way to win. This was Grant’s best match in holding true to his consistency and only taking dictating the point after it had developed into a eight ball plus rally.

#10 Guerin is a tough foe this year. Despite their #1 being out again (but this time due to the ACT), their freshman got the best of Grant Millman 1-6, 0-6. Sam Annakin couldn’t quite repeat his challenging performance last week @ Guerin dropping his match 2-6, 1-6. James Duncan was in at #3s, and despite his best attempt, fell 0-6, 0-6. Sam McCarthy-Young/Ethan Pratt in at #1d just couldn’t hold serve enough to go the distance falling 1-6, 3-6. William Pruitt/William Dietrick in at #2d played such a fun match to watch. They were kings of the sandy court 9 and did their best to test Guerin for two solid hours winning the first set 7-5, while falling behind 3-6 in the second. They ultimately dropped a third set tiebreak 5-10.

Terre Haute North put out a tough 1-2 singles line up besting our guys in straight sets. James Duncan saw the daylight and was determined to earn the W at #3s, but it was just a matter of needing a few more penetrating serves. He fell by a single break each set, 4-6, 4-6. Sam McCarthy-Young/Ethan Pratt faced a #1d team who’s aggression at the net took our guys by surprise. The kings of court 9 were at it again coming out of the gates hot to take the first set 6-3. The two let serving problems plague them in the second set falling 3-6. They jumped out to a rather large early lead in the tiebreak, but let THN hang around too long and come back. THN served out the match to dash the hopes of our Trojans boys in a 9-11 defeat.

The promise that had shone through all day since 10am finally came to fruition about 4:30pm on Saturday. The first win of the day came to the kings of the sand trap on court 9, where William Dietrick/William Pruitt took charge 6-1, 6-1. Ethan Pratt/Sam McCarthy-Young at #1d were outmaneuvered at the net and on their serves, falling 0-6, 3-6. The nerves started to tighten up as Alex Konvolinka dropped his #3s match 2-6, 6-1,8-10. Grant Millman was next court home, earning a 6-4, 3-6, 12-10 win at #1s. Sam Annakin put just enough together after a shaky middle to win in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 and clinched a 3-2 decision for the match.