By RICHIE HALL
sports@readthereporter.com
FISHERS – Mudsock week began at the Hamilton Southeastern tennis courts on Tuesday, and the host Royals came away with the victory.
Southeastern beat Fishers 4-1 to claim the Mudsock trophy in boys tennis, the first in several competitions taking place this week. All of the matches were decided in straight sets, but first-year Royals coach Graham McMullen understands that this dual meet will be hard-fought, no matter what.
“Fishers is a great team,” said McMullen. “They’re competitive at every single position. Always a fun team to play.”
Southeastern’s first three victories came at Nos. 1 and 2 singles and No. 2 doubles. The No. 1 singles match was between two of the area’s best players, the Royals’ Rohan Golla and the Tigers’ Reese Knoderer, with Golla winning 6-3, 6-2.
The closest match of the meet was at No. 1 doubles. Southeastern’s Abhi Chaddha and Nolan Houseman prevailed in two tiebreaks over Fishers’ Thomas Beuler and Jack Butler. Even though the meet had already been decided, the two teams were still intense throughout the close second set.
“It’s a school that’s two and a half miles west of us, and all these kids know each other from growing up with each other, hanging out on the weekends, etc.,” said McMullen. “It’s just an electric match all across the board.”
In this week’s Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association rankings, Southeastern is rated No. 5 and Fishers is ranked No. 6. It’s been a new experience for the Tigers, who coach Dave Heffern said have five new starters on this year’s team, representing both doubles teams and No. 3 singles.
“Hopefully, we can do something about it and try to get better so we can have a chance at the conference,” said Heffern.
The Royals are 8-3 and travel to No. 19 Avon Thursday. The Tigers are 6-3 and play another all-county meet Thursday at Westfield.
HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 4, FISHERS 1
No. 1 singles: Rohan Golla (HSE) def. Reese Knoderer (F) 6-3, 6-2
No. 2 singles: Paul Schneider (HSE) def. Matthew Kordesh (F) 6-1, 6-2
No. 3 singles: Aidan Foley (F) def. Leo McVeigh (HSE) n/a
No. 1 doubles: Abhi Chaddha and Nolan Houseman (HSE) def. Thomas Beuler and Jack Butler (F) 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5)
No. 2 doubles: Logan Bill and Elliot Cox (HSE) def. Quinn Perusse and John Wells (F) 6-1, 6-2
***
Westfield, ranked No. 21 in the state, beat No. 24 Noblesville 4-1 Tuesday at the Miller’s tennis courts.
The Shamrocks swept all three singles positions, with No. 1 Mitch Amenta, No. 2 Ben Jones and No. 3 Matt Drozlek getting the victories. Westfield’s No. 1 doubles team of Jack Dietz and Gavin Dietz also won. The Millers’ lone victory came from No. 2 doubles Camden David and Caden David.
The ‘Rocks host No. 13 Brebeuf Jesuit this afternoon before their match with Fishers. Noblesville returns to action Thursday, taking on Franklin Central.
Noblesville’s Ethan Feliciano (left) and Westfield’s Mitch Amenta (right) played No. 1 singles for their respective teams during the Millers-Shamrocks dual meet on Tuesday. (Kent Graham)