TORRINGTON – The Torrington High School boys’ tennis team squared off against both Alliance and Gering at home on Tuesday, September 3.

Only the Blazer boys competed on Tuesday because Nebraska organizes tennis for boys in the fall and girls in the spring.

Torrington won two matches against Alliance and defeated Gering in two matches.

Alliance

Senior Skyler Thomas opened for Torrington in the No. 1 singles match. Thomas won the first set, 6-4, before falling in both the second set, 6-1, and the third, 10-2.

“Skyler started out the match well,” coach Lauren Shields said. “He was picking his spots and planning out and executing his points. In the second set, something seemed a little different and he didn’t seem to have as much energy. Skyler is getting better at playing his game rather trying to counter his opponents play.”

Fellow senior Elijah Hatch played No. 2 singles and won both sets, 7-5 and 6-2.

“Elijah’s opponent had a pretty big serve and forehand,” Shields noted. “The score is indicative of when Elijah started to figure out his opponent’s’ strengths and weaknesses. After this match, he told me that he figured out he was winning more points when he played the ball to his opponent’s backhand. Playing singles is physically taxing, but tennis is also a very mental game.”

In the No. 1 doubles match, sophomores Benaiah Steinbrecher and Braxton Carlson came up short in their proset, 8-4.

“Benaiah and Braxton were a little off of their game this match,” Shields added. “Braxton and Ben still continued to work hard but were more frustrated than I have seen them in awhile.”

The No. 2 doubles team of seniors Marcus Jones and Gabe Posten fell in a doubles proset, 8-4.

“This team also did not appear to be playing their best,” Shields said. “They struggled with movement and communication. Gabe and Marcus have positive outlooks and can find the fun in any match, though, which makes them fun to watch.”

Junior Silas Kiiskinen and sophomore Maxton Matthews won the No. 3 doubles proset, 8-5.

“Silas and Max are really embracing doubles strategy and are constantly trying to get to the net to volley,” Shields remarked. “They occasionally get caught in no man’s land and give up an easy point but they are very coachable and work to make the improvements.”

Several alternates were able to play against Alliance, including the doubles teams of sophomore Carter Hendricks and senior Oliver Szabo, junior Jacob Barsell and sophomore Brody Ringrose and Benaiah Steinbrecher and senior Josiah Steinbrecher.

“Carter and Oliver played well together,” Shields said. “Brody and Jacob are continuing to learn each and every day. We paired up the brothers, Benaiah and Josiah, to play a set together and they seemed to have a good time.”

Gering

Hatch played No. 1 singles and won a three-set match. Hatch fell in the first set, 7-5, before winning the second set, 6-4, and triumphing in the tiebreaker, 10-6.

“When Elijah can keep his body language and emotions calm, he plays much better,” Shields said. “In the second set, he still became visibly frustrated at times, but he kept his mind in the match and did not let his emotions get the best of him and he pulled out the win.”

Hendricks stepped in to play No. 2 singles, falling in both sets, 6-0 and 6-1.

“We asked Carter to step in when Skyler was not available,” Shields added. “Carter was nervous, but he played hard. He still has some technical things to work on, but I’m excited to see how this motivates him to work harder.”

Benaiah Steinbrecher and Carlson played No. 1 doubles. The team won the first set, 6-2, before falling in the second and third sets, 6-3 and 12-10.

“This match was better than earlier in the day” Shields noted. “During the first set of this match, Ben and Braxton did a great job with cross-court returns and getting to the net. Braxton was serving much better and when Ben hit through the ball on his ground strokes, they were well placed and difficult for Gering to handle.”

Posten and Jones battled through another nailbiter before ultimately falling, 6-2 and 7-6.

“These two are showing they can play with anyone,” Shields said. “Afterwards, they approached me and told me the things they need to work on more. I’m excited that they are able to identify these things to get the outcome they want.”

Kiiskinen and Matthews posted another victory against Gering in the No. 3 doubles match, winning 6-3 and 6-2.

“These two are growing in confidence and learning to play together,” Shields remarked. “They are occasionally out of position, but once coached or retaught what to do, they do it.”

Alternates saw action against Gering. Szabo won a his singles proset, 8-1. Ringrose and Barsell played doubles and fell, 8-4. Josiah Steinbrecher partnered with freshman Gage McMurray in a doubles match to win their proset, 8-6.