Bison boys tennis opens with split

The McCook Bison boys tennis team opened the season Friday by splitting matches at Kearney and placing fourth at the Grand Island Central Catholic Invitational Saturday.

Next action for the Bison is Thursday at 4 p.m. at Hastings.

McCook 5, Kearney Catholic 4

Varsity Singles

1 Austin Larson lost to P. Messbarger, 8-0

2 Nate Crick def B. Shundoff, 8-3

3 Ethan Hardin def. J. McCoy, 8-2

4 Zach Baker lost to E. Rudine, 9-8 (8-6)

5 Matthew Carriker lost to M. Gohl, 8-4

6 John Huffman def N. Brummer, 8-2

Varsity Doubles

1 Hardin/Huffman def Gohl/Rodine, 8-5

2 Baker/Carriker lost to Brummer/Shundoff, 8-3

3 A. Larson/Crick def Messbarger/McCoy

"The team got off to a solid start winning two of the three doubles matches," said McCook tennis coach Matt Wiemers. "I was concerned with our doubles going into the duels, as we have all new doubles teams, along with three new varsity players. John and Ethan played very well and I was pleased with their positioning on the court. They were both consistent and did a good job of place their hits. John was great at the net and Ethan played well from the baseline. They have great potential to develop into a competitive doubles team.

"Austin and Nate played a great doubles match defeating a pretty competitive Kearney Catholic team. They had some great serves, which led to easy points at the net. They were also hitting some excellent angles and placing balls where they needed to.

"In singles play, the guys struggled through their matches. Nate, Ethan and John cruised in their matches en route to lopsided outcomes. They all played consistent tennis and did a great job of limiting their errors..

"Zach took a tough loss, as he was up 7-2 and ended up on the losing end in a tiebreaker. He just needs to become a more consistent player and we need to work on his mobility. Austin had a tough loss as well, but we knew going into the duels he would be playing some very high quality opponents. He played well, but was just up against some great players."

Kearney High 9, McCook 0

Varsity Singles

1 Austin Larson lost to C. Christiansen, 8-2

2 Nate Crick lost to G. Bush, 8-3

3 Ethan Hardin lost to T. White, 8-2

4 Zach Baker lost to D. Longmore, 8-0

5 Matthew Carriker lost to G. Davis, 8-1

6 John Huffman lost to G. Nordhues, 8-3

Varsity Doubles

1 Hardin/Huffman lost to Longmore/White, 8-2

2 Baker/Carriker lost to Bush/Jacobitz, 8-0

3 A. Larson/Crick lost to Christiansen/Davis, 8-3

"Kearney has a very deep team and they return four players from last season," Wiemers said. "We didn't have much success against them, but it will help us see how much we need to improve to get to where we want to be. The effort was good and the guys battled well, but we were just out matched.

"I was also able to play with doubles combinations and see who we can play together. For our first matches of the season, I was pleased with the effort and the way the team competed. We definitely have areas we need to get better at, but the guys did put forth a good effort."

Junior Varsity Singles

Cameron Foster def S. Elliot, Holdrege, 6-5

Connor Palic lost to M. Espenhover, Holdrege, 6-3

Grant Wilcox lost to A. Limbach, Kearney, 6-2

Taylor Rivera lost to J. Damme, 6-0

Cameron Foster lost to J. Jacobitz, Kearney, 6-3

Connor Palic lost to I. Thomas, Kearney, 6-0

Grant Wilcox lost to J. Strawhecker, Kearney, 6-1

Taylor Rivera lost to B. Duncan, Kearney, 6-1

Junior Varsity Doubles

Foster/Palic def Elliot/Espenhover, 6-5

Wilcox/Rivera lost to Limbach/Damme, Kearney, 6-0

Foster/Palic lost to Thomas/Nordhues, Kearney, 6-1

Wilcox/Rivera lost to Strawhecker/Duncan, Kearney, 6-0

"We were able to play four extra kids and they each got to in four matches," Wiemers said. "We just need to keep getting guys on the court to gain experience. Like the varsity, consistency played a huge role in the outcome of their matches. With more court time, they will continue to improve and push our varsity."

Grand Island Central Catholic Invite

Lincoln Christian 19 points

Grand Island CC 19

Omaha Skutt 15

McCook 5

Hastings Adams Central 2

No. 1 singles-Matthew Carriker, 0-4

Lost to Lincoln Christian, 8-0

Lost to Omaha Skutt, 8-0

Lost to Adams Central, 8-2

Lost to GICC, 8-0

"Matthew was put into a tough position as this invite was full of quality No. 1 singles players," Wiemers said. "He kept a positive attitude and worked hard. It was a great experience for Matthew to see the level of play at No. 1 singles. He is a kid who will do whatever is asked of him and will play where ever he can help the team. He has the ability to play either singles or doubles, so it makes my job easier. Matthew just needs to work on his consistency and footwork."

No. 2 Singles-Zach Baker, 1-3

Lost to Lincoln Christian, 8-0

Lost to Omaha Skutt, 8-0

Def Adams Central, 8-0

Lost to GICC, 8-1

"Like Matthew, Zach had some quality opponents to compete against," Wiemers said. "He was able to come away with a win and some great experience. He works hard and will play where ever we need him to.

"Zach also needs to become a more consistent player and he needs to be put into doubles play. He would better help the team in doubles, but has the ability to play both. Zach will get better with more experience, as this is his first year playing on the varsity squad.

No. 1 Doubles-Ethan Hardin/John Huffman, 1-3

Lost to Lincoln Christian, 8-3

Lost to Omaha Skutt, 8-3

Def. Adams Central, 8-4

Lost to GICC, 8-0

"John and Ethan got off to a slow start, but picked up their play as the tournament went on," Wiemers said. "They picked a nice win against Adams Central and were competitive in their three other matches. John had some excellent groundstrokes and he has quick hands at the net. Ethan played well for his first varsity invite and I like to see his confidence growing. They are two great kids who work awefully hard."

No. 2 Doubles-Austin Larson/Nate Crick, 2-2

Lost to Lincoln Christian, 8-4

Def Omaha Skutt, 8-4

Def Adams Central, 8-2

Lost to GICC, 8-5

"Nate and Austin played well going 2-2, overcoming a slow start against Lincoln Christian." Wiemers said. "They need to work on their patience and putting away volleys at the net.

"Overall, they had a successful weekend and played some decent tennis. Like everyone else on the squad, we they have some areas they need to get better at. And they might be playing in some different positions as the season plays along."