Dutch tennis team lost to Warren Thursday

The St. Marys Area boys’ tennis team faced off against Warren for the third time this season on Thursday afternoon, with the Dragons winning the match by a score of 5-0.

“We added an extra match against Warren to help us get ready for the D9 team tournament,” said St. Marys Area head coach Tim Henry. “We went with the three singles and two doubles format of the state tournament and lost again. However, like the other losses, we keep improving. Dylan (Aiello)’s match highlighted this the most.”

At first singles, Warren’s Logan Fincher defeated Aiello 7-6(7), 6-4.

“Aiello’s heavy topspin drives deep to the baseline frustrated Fincher. Dylan had set points in the first and really should be proud of playing such a talented player so well.

The only difference was Fincher’s better net play, which is a major theme of this Warren team,” Henry said.

At second singles, Warren’s Wes Kiehl won 6-1, 6-0 against SMA’s Ryan Holjencin, and at third singles the Dragons’ Luke Smelko defeated Dutchman Jon Chamberlin 6-0, 6-1.

At first doubles, the Warren team of Fincher and Kiehl defeated SMA’s Nate Eckert and Liam Brem 6-4, 6-3, and at second doubles the Dragon duo of Ian Darling and Max Harrison won 6-3, 6-3 against Dutchmen Dominic Aiello and Luke Anderson.

“Our two doubles teams also did better than when we tangled with them (Warren) last Saturday,” Henry said. “We have the character on our team to take losses like this because they trust in the process. They know they are getting better, and matches like this are helping to peak us.”