In the season-opening dual for the Bearcats, they had four matches go the distance and split them with Ridgefield on Thursday afternoon. Ultimately, two sweeps at No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles allowed the Spudders to win 4-2 at home.
Still, head coach Megan Wellander was pleased with the effort for a lineup that was missing a couple starters.
“It was exciting to watch them work hard in the heat,” Wellander said. “It felt like a weird, eerie kind of day. They did the best they could.”
Ryan Becker, a junior at No. 3 singles, rallied to beat Zach Wallace 2-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-4). Becker has played a couple matches of varsity, but mainly doubles.
He passed one of his rare singles opportunities with flying colors.
“He was really focused,” Wellander mentioned. “Getting a little more confidence in himself.”
Two other newer players for W.F. West teamed at No. 3 doubles as Adam White and Riley Pennington triumphed in a wild 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (13-11) thriller.
Jonah Ames (No. 2 singles) and the tandem of Bryce Kuykendal/Will Cummings each won the second set, but lost the 10-point tiebreaker in the third set.
“First match jitters,” Wellander stated. “The more matches we get, the better we're going to be. I’m optimistic for the season.”
