By RICHIE HALL
CARMEL – The Carmel boys tennis team gave an upgraded Todd Witsken Tennis Center a memorable win on Tuesday.
The Greyhounds hosted Hamilton Southeastern on its brand-new courts, also showing off the tennis center’s new stands and new scoreboard. When the matches were over, Carmel was victorious 4-1.
“The atmosphere was really, truly remarkable for high school tennis in general,” said Hounds coach Dan Brunette.
The junior varsity played the first matches on the refurbished courts, which Burnette said allowed spectators to see the JV in action.
“I think that’s unique,” said Burnette. “Those players have put in time and effort.”
The varsity matches were competitive. Carmel got wins from seniors Wesley Worobel at No. 1 singles, Vishal Shankar at No. 3 singles, and the No. 2 doubles team of Kharan Devanaboina and Mahesh Duvvuri, who emerged with a win over the Royals’ Ian Ransom and Max Weinberger.
The only underclassmen in the Greyhounds’ lineup were the No. 1 doubles team of sophomore Jude Sangar and junior David Liu. They won 6-2, 6-0.
Southeastern’s win came from freshman Parker Stump at No. 2 singles. Stump came back from a set down to win over David Kim, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Burnette said that while it was “a tough match for both teams,” he also noted that it was “really important for them mentally to get these opportunities,” since they don’t happen often.
“Regardless of the outcome, I just think it was a really neat environment for high school tennis, period,” said Burnette.
Carmel plays Homestead Thursday in a match that will take place at Taylor University. Hamilton Southeastern travels to Brownsburg for its first Hoosier Crossroads Conference meet of the season.
No. 1 singles: Wesley Worobel (C) def. Brody Stump (HSE) 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 singles: Parker Stump (HSE) def. Andrew Kim (C) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
No. 3 singles: Vishal Shankar (C) def. Evan Holderman (HSE) 6-1, 6-0
No. 1 doubles: Jude Sangar and David Liu (C) def. Logan Foust and Landon Osswald (HSE) 6-2, 6-0
No. 2 doubles: Kharan Devanaboina and Mahesh Duvvuri (C) def. Ian Ransom and Max Weinberger (HSE) 6-1, 1-6, 6-1
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Noblesville swept Pendleton Heights 5-0 on Tuesday in its season opening dual meet.
In singles play, No. 1 Dane Campbell won 6-2, 6-2; No. 2 Zack Couzens was a 6-0, 6-2 winner and No. 3 Nicky Schmiegel won 6-1, 6-1. The No. 1 doubles team of Parker Stallings and Dustin Turpin came back to win a third-set super tiebreak, 4-6, 6-2, 10-2, while No. 2 Joey Beahrs and Elijah Mason won 6-4, 6-1.
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Westfield began its season with two dual meet wins.
The Shamrocks beat University 4-1 last Saturday. No. 3 singles Ajay Prasanna got a 6-0, 6-0 shutout, while No. 2 singles Luke Stoecker won 6-4, 6-1 and No. 1 doubles Payton Paramoure and Leyton Steill were 6-2, 6-3 winners. No. 2 doubles Ben Soukup and Charlie Juleen were victorious in a third-set super tiebreak, 6-7, 7-6, 10-5. No. 1 singles Parker Paramoure dropped a 6-4, 6-4 match.
Westfield beat North Central 4-1 on Tuesday. Parker Paramoure won 6-1, 6-0, Stoecker picked up a 6-2, 6-0 victory and Prasanna toughed out a 6-1, 3-6, 10-6 win. In doubles, Payton Paramoure and Steill won 6-0, 6-3, while Soukup and Juleen fell 2-6, 6-4, 10-6.
The Rocks play tonight at Guerin Catholic.