Baylor and McCallie have been playing tennis for more than a century and Tuesday’s match was another of the usual long, hard fought matches with host Baylor prevailing, 5-2
The defending D-II AA state champion Red Raiders led 3-0, only to have McCallie pull within a point at 3-2 as the match came down to singles play at Nos. 3 and 4.
Baylor won the crucial doubles point (2-1), then posted straight set singles wins by Alec Kadrie (No.2) and Ed O’Neal (No.) for that 3-0 advantage.
“Both teams played well in doubles and for us to win the doubles was a huge momentum point for us going into singles as the team down a point now has to win four singles matches,” said Baylor coach Ned Caswell.
McCallies doubles win came at No.2 as coach Jeff Clark put a pair of seniors together in Zan Meyer and George Bryant for an 8-6 win.
"I shuffled the doubles lineup som from Rotary and the two seniors played well together," Clark stated.
But McCallie was not done as the Blue Tornado claimed wins from Charlie Thel (No.1) and Evan Ellinger (No.6) to make it 3-2.
“Charlie was down 5-2 in the first set, raised his game a little and came back to win in straight sets and Evan won his first career varsity match at No.6 which gave us a chance to win,” said McCallie coach Jeff Clark.
McCallie’s Zan Meyer kept the momentum going as he took the first set at No.3 (Baylor’s Ben Taverne would rally for a 3-set win), bur Baylor’s Ryan Toomey clinched the team win with a 6-4, 7-5 triumph at No.4.
“I am disappointed we didn’t win, but pleased with our effort as they guys fought hard,” said Clark. “Our execution was a little better than during last weekend’s Rotary tourney and I I am proud of them for fighting back today..”
Re-Match: April 25 Baylor at McCallie
Baylor 5, McCallie 2
Doubles (worth 1 team point)
Baylor won the doubles (2-1)
1 Brandon Kali-Ben Taverne (Bay) def. Charlie Thel-Ryan Crump, 8-5
2 Zan Meyer-George Bryant (McC) def. Alex Kadrie-Edward O’Neal 8-6
3 Ryan Toomey-Ethan Palisac (Bay) def. Bruce Reemer-Andrew Shinnick, 8-4
Singles
1 Charlie Thel (McC) def. Brandon Kali, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2
2 Alec Kadrie (Bay) def. Ryan Crump, 6-2, 6-1
3 Ben Taverne (Bay) def. Zan Meyer, 6-7 (7-4), 6-1, 12-10
4 Ryan Toomey (Bay) def. Bruce Renner, 6-4, 7-5
5 Ed O’Neal (Bay) def. Andrew Shinnick, 6-2, 6-2
6 Evan Ellinger (McC) def. Ethan Palisac, 6-3 6-3
Order of finish: doubles: 1-3-2 singles: 2-5-1-6-4-3
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net