Seahawks starting to take off in Henlopen tennis action
A remarkable turnaround story continues at Sussex Academy, as the boys’ tennis team that went winless two years ago has rattled off four straight wins dispatching Indian River 5-0 April 16.
“My team has been very focused this season, and it’s paying off,” said coach Lesley Eichten. “They have been committed to practice and are really giving it their all on match days. They show up to win and are making it happen.”
During the win streak, the Seahawks have worked fast, conceding only one set in the 20 played.
Sophomore J.P. Eichten, who has only surrendered three points in his last eight sets, led the way again, winning both sets 6-0 in first singles. Jack Feinstein’s match in second singles had a bit more drama, but the eighth-grader managed to beat a tough Mason McCabe by taking the first set 7-5 and winning the tie-breaker 10-4 after dropping the second set 6-4.
Junior Alec Dukes was a replacement player in third singles, but showed he can hang by coming back from a 6-4 first-set loss to flip the score and win the tiebreaker 11-9.
First-doubles team Nate VanPelt and Kieran Probert made quick work of their opponents with back-to-back 6-0 victories.
“Kieran and Nathan at first doubles played a strong match,” coach Eichten said. “They had excellent movement on the court and played with coordination and focus.”
Logan Mattie and Leo Benz held it down in second doubles with a 6-1, 6-0 victory to ensure the 5-0 win.
“IR has always been one of our favorite teams to play,” coach Eichten said. “Coach Beahan runs a terrific program and is so supportive of players on both sides of the net.”
