Trojans take 8th at conference

May 8, 2012

BOOM — Junior Tyler Fisher slices a forehand. Fisher played number-two singles.

By Mitch Leiferman

Glenwood High School held the conference tournament on Monday, May 7.

The lineup that coach Shawn Peterson went with was, senior Gunnar Blum and junior Noah Welter at number one doubles, senior Rob Nichols and sophomore Jake Arneson at number two doubles, junior Tyler Fisher at number two singles, and senior Mitch Leiferman at number one singles.

Blum and Welter had their hands full as they faced the number-one seed in the tournament out of Red Oak. The Trojans gave them a good fight but ended up losing the match 8-10.

Blum said, “That was the best doubles I have ever played.” Atlantic’s number-one doubles team ended up losing in the next round consolation and did not place.

Nichols and Arneson played a preliminary match against Shenandoah, winning 10-6 before running into the fourth seed out of Denison and losing 7-10.

They won their next match against Lewis Central 8-6. Nichols and Arneson fought their way into a battle for fifth by playing Kuemper, but lost 6-8, earning a sixth-place finish. Nichols said, “Jake and I both agreed that we played awful our first match, but gradually got better throughout the day.”

Fisher was seeded number three in his bracket and had a tough bout as he faced a strong competitor out of Denison. Fisher gave a good fight but ended up losing 7-10, leading him into Lewis Central. Fisher lost once more but redeemed himself by beating a well-rounded Red Oak player 8-2.

Leiferman was the third seed and came out looking like it. His first match was against Clarinda’s number-one player. Leiferman won in dominating fashion, 10-0. Leiferman then came upon his biggest challenge of the day, facing off against Harlan’s number one. Earlier in the season Leiferman lost to this player in a long three-setter. Monday’s match wasn’t any different. Leiferman won the first set 6-4, but came out slowly in the second and was down 0-5 before losing that set 1-6. The last set came down to who could make shots. Harlan came out on fire and hardly missed a shot. The third set ended up going Harlan’s way and in turn, so did the match. Leiferman then faced Lewis Central’s number-one, beating him 8-3. Leiferman ended up getting third place out of ten competitors.

Team Scores: