Crusader tennis team swept by Bradford on Senior Night Thursday
The Elk County Catholic Crusader tennis team played host to the Bradford Owls on Thursday afternoon in a Senior Night match at Benzinger Park, with Bradford taking home a 7-0 win.
Crusader seniors recognized during the match were Sagan Beaver, Noah Cherry, Douglas MacDonald, and William MacDonald.
“All four seniors presented their mother with a nice corsage. The underclassmen gave each senior small gifts. All seniors were recognized for their accomplishments and extracurricular activities each belonged to throughout their four years,” said ECC head coach Michael Jeselnick.
Bradford swept all four singles matches and all three doubles matches.
“The boys played well, but not playing yesterday I thought their timing was off a little,” Jeselnick said. “Many great rallies were witnessed in the singles and doubles matches.”
At first singles, Bradford’s Mitch Strauss defeated ECC’s Douglas MacDonald 6-1, 6-1. At second singles, the Owls’ Cooper Haight won 6-1, 6-2 against ECC’s Bradyn Pistner. At third singles, Mason Close gave Bradford another win as he defeated the Crusaders’ Noah Cherry 6-1, 6-4.
Ward Kennedy completed the singles sweep for the Owls at fourth singles with a 6-4, 2-6, 10-7 win over ECC’s Frank Messineo.
“I think the fourth singles match was a real competitive match between Frank Messineo and Bradford’s Ward Kennedy,” Jeselnick said. “There were many long rallies throughout the match. Frank Messineo lost the first set 4-6 but won the second set 6-2, but the match was decided by a very close third set tiebreak favoring Bradford’s Kennedy (7-10). Very good determination demonstrated by Messineo in the second set and tiebreak.”
At first doubles, Strauss and Close teamed up for an 8-3 win against Cherry and Pistner.
At second doubles, Douglas MacDonald and Sagan Beaver teamed up and lost 8-0 to Bradford.
“Senior Sagan Beaver paired with Douglas MacDonald at second doubles to come up short 0-8 in the doubles pro set,” Jeselnick said.
“Sagan Beaver played his first match.”
At third doubles, the Owls’ Landen Lehman and Steven Williams won 8-2 against ECC’s William MacDonald and Julian Lanzel.
“Senior William
MacDonald teamed up with Julian Lanzel at third doubles,” Jeselnick said. “There were many good points made in this match but they fell 2-8 to Bradford’s Lehman/Williams.”