Battle of the wooden racket

Dakota Firlej, Print Staff

   The Lake Central boys JV/Varsity tennis teams defeated the Pirates at Merrillville on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m. After multiple matches in the sweltering heat, the Indians emerged with a win, destroying Merrillville 5-0. Nathan Doyle (12) and Nick Firlej (12), friends on the Varsity team, won their doubles match and look to achieve more before the season ends.

   “We have a hard season this year,”  “We have a lot of young players and there are a lot of good teams in our conference, so I think it’s going to be hard, but I think we can do well,” Doyle said.

   Despite the hard work and time in the sun, most players seem to love their sport.

   “I enjoy playing. I like how it’s more individualized. You rely more on yourself and not your team to win the match,” David Spriggs (10) said.

   Others enjoy the social aspect of the team, like David Dingman (11) on the JV team. 

   “I play it because I love talking to other people and really getting to be friends with everyone out on the team. I think it’s a lot of fun and it’s great exercise. Tennis is a really fun sport and if you do not have a sport to play we need people to come and tryout next year, so come and join,” Dingman said.

   The boys left Merrillville in high spirits, eager for their next match.