After slipping last Friday to Dover, Indian River’s boys tennis team is right back on top. In fact, Tuesday’s 3-2 win against former conference champions Caesar Rodney (who last week, conquered Dover) put them at a three-way tie, marking it as one of the most astounding and pivotal victories the Indians’ tennis team has managed in years. With each of the aforementioned teams giving up only one match this season, among themselves, it proposes a likely feverous race for the conference title this spring.
Nothing more than a slight breeze stood in Indian River’s way as head coach Pat Cicala was ecstatic with his team’s performance on Tuesday. “This is the way good tennis should be,” he said. “Games are close, and the talent is there on both sides.”
First doubles team Eric Linde and Zach Izzo, picked off the first match of the day, winning two sets after narrowly escaping the first in a tie-breaker. “Dover was the first match I had played doubles,” noted Linde. “I had always played singles this season, so playing a good team got us ready.” Doubles partner Izzo didn’t need to tweak much when he and Linde were paired up for the first time last week. “It can be tough jumping in with someone new, but we’ve been friends for a while, so that helps.” His strategy to avoid the gusts of wind was attributed to different strokes. “We really had to work on technique today. We were putting a lot of backspin on our lobs to fight the wind.”
Second and third singles, armed by Zach Kmetz and Chris Connover, respectively, continued their streak, securing the win with two-set victories, as well. “This is one of the biggest wins Indian River has seen in years,” said Kmetz. “We have three number one seeds from our region playing for the top spot in the tournament. Caesar Rodney has clinched the conference for years. This win today is amazing, and it puts us right up there.”
Connover, who had played alongside Izzo until Dover’s match, swapped positions with Linde. “My first two games at third singles were against two of our toughest rivals,” Connover said. “Winning in three sets against my Dover opponent was a pretty awesome feeling. This [Caesar Rodney] opponent was pretty tough, too, and it felt really good pulling off a win like this. It’s a huge victory for our school.” He had a strategy on the blustery day, too. “The key today was to keep the ball low and not over hit it. I could charge the net, knowing that I could get back in time if he lobbed it into the wind.”
Until Friday’s match, the Indians held an undefeated record. “Two-three is a showing,” said Cicala, referencing last week’s sole loss on the season at Dover. “Their first doubles team had two seniors who have been playing together for years. Our guys came out strong. We played well.” The waver was apparently quickly shaken off. “I can’t begin to say what this win [against Caesar Rodney] does for our team,” he said, enthusiastically. “We’re going for the creme de la creme. We just have to keep bringing our best.”
The boys were to face Milford, away, on Thursday, April 24, after Coastal Point press deadline. Next week, they will host Polytech on Monday and Lake Forest on Wednesday before traveling to Seaford on Friday. All games are scheduled for 4 p.m. An away match on Tuesday, May 6 at Stephen Decatur will close out the season schedule and lead into the Henlopen Conference tennis tournament, set for Friday, May 9 at the Sea Colony tennis club.