By Cody Pomeranz, ’11, Sports Section Editor
After an impressive 2009 season, capped off by first singles Joey Fritz’s Division II State Championship, the expectations for the boys varsity tennis team heading into this year were high, and the boys squad didn’t take long to fulfill those expectations. This past weekend, the Indians headed to Louisville for the Forcht Bank King of the Bluegrass Tennis Team Championships.
Losing only one varsity senior in Reed Caron, the Indians returned an impressive team, along with talented new blood in freshman Michael Barton, who immediately filled the void left by Caron at second singles. Accompanying Barton and Fritz, the team’s premier player, is Alex Toltzis, ’10, who is returning to third singles after finishing with one of the best records in the city last year. Also returning this year are first doubles duo Robbie Pierce, ’11, and Cody Pomeranz, ’11, who earned Honorable Mention All-City recognition last season, second doubles squad Alex Meixner, ’11, and newcomer Jessup Smith, ’10, and doubles alternates Jordan Mesh, ’10, and Kevin Baxter, ’10.
The Indians, coached by Gary Samuels, cruised through their first two matches, defeating Nelson County 5-0 and Russell 4-1. The squad’s first challenge came against Marion County, which won both doubles matches. But as the Indians showed last season, their singles trio is unparalleled. Fritz, Barton, and Toltzis swept their three matches, nudging out a victory for CCDS. The Indians headed to the finals to face a Huntington team from West Virginia that had already taken down Seven Hills in the second round. Fritz, as expected, won his match in around a half an hour. However, Toltzis went down early, tying the match at 1-1. In a grueling three set match, Barton fell 6-0, 5-7, and 11-9 (tiebreaker as third set), leaving the Indians down 2-1. But CCDS’s doubles teams would compensate for the singles’ losses. Pierce and Pomeranz claimed victory in a lengthy 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 match, tying the score at 2-2. But it would come down to the second doubles match for the Indians. Meixner and Smith struggled in the first set against a bigger Huntington squad. Nevertheless, the more talented duo prevailed, winning 7-6 (8-6), 6-0, and giving the Indians the title. Fritz was deservedly named the MVP and Michael Barton was placed on the All-Tournament Team.
For an Indians team with aspirations that don’t fall short of a state title run, the championship was a fitting start to a highly anticipated season. “We truly have a great team this year,” said defending state champion Fritz. “I’m confident we can go very far.” Regardless of the team’s success, Fritz will certainly try to defend his individual state title this spring before heading off to Amherst University to continue his tennis career at the collegiate level. Adding to Fritz’s aptitude, Michael Barton has been an invaluable addition to the Indians’ squad. With strength, speed, and confidence, scrappy Barton certainly has an auspicious high school career on the horizon. “I’m in a good place right now,” said the freshman. “I can only go up from here.” With equally impressive talent in Toltzis, and unparalleled chemistry between the Pomeranz and Pierce team and the Smith and Meixner duo, the Indians are poised to win the MVC title and advance in the state tournament.
