BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence suffered two losses in the Rob Spencer Invitational during boys high school tennis action on Friday night.
The Stars dropped identical 3-2 setbacks to Bloomfield and Borden, sweeping the doubles in both matches, in the event named for the former BNL head coach.
“We played our hearts out,” BNL coach Ian Dillman said. “I know I say this a lot, but the improvement of our mental toughness is growing. Ultimately it was a great day of tennis. It’s not the outcome we wanted, it’s never fun to lose your home tournament.”
In the opener against Bloomfield, BNL’s Neal Patel and Braxton Fugate stopped Andrew Barker and Owen Medina 7-5, 5-7, 10-7 at No.1 doubles. Orion Hill and Micah Carter rolled past Chase Wiles and Cameron Branstetter 6-1, 6-1 at No.2.
“Bloomfield just slipped by us,” Dillman said. “We were taken to a third set super tiebreaker for tournament purposes, and our doubles was able to hold their ground. They struggled on simple things but they didn’t quit, that’s what matters.
“Jackson (Corey) had another great match regardless of outcome. His growth in singles is showing. He’s not trying to blast every ball and instead thinking about how to throw off the rhythm of his opponent. I like that.”
In the nightcap against the Braves, Patel and Fugate handled Landen Haas and Wyatt Martel 6-4, 6-2, while Hill and Carter clubbed Garrett Guldenschuh and Will Baker 6-0, 6-0.
“I have to give my No.1 doubles team this one,” Dillman said. “Neal has really stepped up this season. It’s his last season and he’s going out with a bang. He controls the net, he also helps Braxton on the court with keeping a clear mind and what doubles is all about. I loved my No.2 doubles, I didn’t have to worry about them. They were locked in.”
BNL (2-2) will host Columbus East on Monday.
ROB SPENCER INVITATIONAL
Bloomfield 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Will Bowden, Bloomfield d. Jackson Corey 5-7, 6-4, 10-4
2 Blake Neill, Bloom d. Asher Thompson 6-1, 6-2
3 Slok Patel, Bloom d. Aden Ralston 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1 Neal Patel and Braxton Fugate, BNL d. Andrew Barker and Owen Medina 7-5, 5-7, 10-7
2 Orion Hill and Micah Carter, BNL d. Chase Wiles and Cameron Branstetter 6-1, 6-1
Borden 3, BNL 2
Singles
1 Brady Peine, Borden d. Jackson Corey 6-0, 6-1
2 Nash Missi, Borden d. Asher Thompson 7-5, 6-2
3 Parker Ravick, Borden d. Aden Ralston 6-3, 2-6, 10-3
Doubles
1 Neal Patel and Braxton Fugate, BNL d. Landen Haas and Wyatt Martel 6-4, 6-2
2 Orion Hill and Micah Carter, BNL d. Garrett Guldenschuh and Will Baker 6-0, 6-0
