Nick Etzell upended a big school foe Wednesday by disrupting his playing style. (John Fisken photo)
While the Coupeville High School boys’ tennis squad slid to its fourth consecutive loss Wednesday, falling 5-2 at Kingston, the loss to a large 2A school wasn’t without its bright moments.
Three things in particular stood out.
Freshman Mason Grove made his varsity debut, having shot up the singles ladder at the last practice, and fought hard through a close match.
Going him one better were the #3 doubles duo of Jimmy Myers and Grey Rische, who rebounded from a set down to win a thriller and remain the only unbeaten players on the Wolf roster.
While Coupeville is 0-4, having faced three 2A schools and a 1A private school power, the senior duo is a spotless 4-0 in their first go-round as partners.
Topping the afternoon was a huge breakthrough for #1 singles player Nick Etzell, who used his wiles to outfox his foe and grab his first win at the top of the roster.
“Nick was a man possessed today,” said CHS tennis coach Ken Stange. “He played a more experienced opponent, but he employed a smart strategy.
“He took all the pace off the ball, hitting shots that were high and deep. His opponent needed balls that were hit hard,” he added. “I don’t know if I’ve ever had a player stay so true to a plan of attack.”
The win, and the way it was achieved, reinforced why Stange thinks so highly of his junior ace.
“To call him coachable would be a major understatement,” he said. “I’m very proud of his effort today, and every day.”
Complete results:
Varsity:
1st singles — Nick Etzell won 7-5, 6-4
2nd singles — Nile Lockwood lost 6-0, 6-2
3rd singles — Mason Grove lost 6-2, 7-5
1st doubles — Joseph Wedekind/John McClarin lost 6-0, 6-2
2nd doubles — William Nelson/Joey Lippo lost 6-0, 6-7, 6-2
3rd doubles — Grey Rische/Jimmy Myers won 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
4th doubles — Aiden Crimmins/Jakobi Baumann lost 6-4, 6-3
JV:
5th doubles — Jaschon Baumann/Tiger Johnson lost 8-3
6th doubles — Nick Blalock/Koby Schreiber lost 8-3
7th doubles — Elliot Johnson/Zach Ginnings lost 8-1
Coupeville Sports 
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