Bison netters top York field

Monday, September 12, 2005
Bill Burton The McCook High School tennis team captured first place in the York Invitational on Friday. From left: Asher Brooks, Austin Larson, Brad Potthoff, Joel Putz, Brandon Crick, Brett Burton and coach Matt Wiemers.

McCook posts

two firsts,

two seconds

YORK -- The McCook High School boys tennis team captured the York Invitational Friday.

The Bison scored 27 points, outdistancing second-place Elkhorn by 6 points.

Joel Putz captured No. 2 singles with a 5-0 record. Brandon Crick placed second in No. 1 singles with a 4-1 mark.

The No. 1 doubles duo of Brett Burton and Brad Potthoff placed first with a 5-0 record.

The No. 2 doubles team of Asher Brooks and Austin Larson placed second with a 4-1 record.

"We have had success at the York Invite over the past three or four years, finishing as high as second," said McCook boys tennis coach Matt Wiemers. "This is our first team title and the guys played great. This year's team has the talent and experience to compete each time we take the court.

"I am proud with how well they have competed and are playing. They have all put in a ton of time and have worked hard to get to where they are. We have a tough week ahead and the guys will need to keep playing with a lot of intensity and the same desire to compete."

Next action for the Bison boys tennis team is Monday at Kearney against Catholic and Grand Island Central Catholic at 1 p.m. and Tuesday at Lexington 4 p.m.

York Invite results

Final Team Standings:

1 McCook 27 pts

2 Elkhorn 21

3 Waverly 18

4 York 15

5 Holdrege 9

6 Nebraska City 0

1 Singles-Brandon Crick

4-1, 2nd place

def. S. Romohr, York 8-2

lost to J. Raymond, Elkhorn 8-4

def. T. Hohensee, Holdrege 8-1

def. K. Rademacher, NE City 8-2

def. S. Harris, Waverly 8-2

"Brandon played well and picked up some quality wins," Wiemers said. "His wins against York, Holdrege and Waverly will be key in the seeding process for the state tournament.

"Brandon served the ball well, which set up some easy volleys. His lone loss to Elkhorn was not a surprise. Raymond advanced deep into the tournament at state last year.

"Brandon had a 3-2 lead, but Raymond got on a roll and Brandon couldn't get the momentum back.

"Overall, Brandon played well and contributed some big points.

"We know he can play better and he will continue to improve as the season progresses along."

2 Singles-Joel Putz

5-0, 1st place

def. P. Burk, York 8-5

def. D. Placek, Elkhorn 8-6

def. A. Fulmer, Holdrege 8-4

def. A. Hunt, NE City 8-1

def. J. Hofker, Waverly 8-3

Joel also picked up some quality wins and showed signs of improvement," Wiemers said. "Wins against York, Elkhorn and Waverly will prove to be big keys to a seed at state.

"Joel did a great job of serve and volleying. When he was hitting his first serve, he got some easy put aways. Joel competed well and had a couple of come from behind wins.

"I like his mental toughness and how well he adapts his game to find ways to defeat his opponents. He also contributed some big points to our team's success."

1 Doubles, Brett Burton-

Brad Potthoff

5-0, 1st place

def. J. McQuistan-J. McQuistan, York 8-4

def. C. Johnson-J. Kieffer, Elkhorn 8-6

def. B. Chase-K. Ruybalid, Holdrege 8-2

def. D. Hotsenpiller-X. Berger, NE City 8-0

def. B. Smith-D. Busch, Waverly 8-1

"Brett and Brad played their best tennis of the season and beat some solid teams," Wiemers said. "Their wins agaisnt York, Elkhorn and Waverly will be key wins in the seeding process for state.

"They both had a good day serving and got quite a few winners on their first serves. I like how well they are gelling together and they played with a lot of heart.

"They both have strong fundamentals and compete with a high level of confidence. I really like the way they are playing together right now."

2 Doubles-Asher Brooks-

Austin Larson

4-1, 2nd place

def. E. Bodtke-B. Vodvarka, York 8-2

def. J. Koerber-T. Yahnke, Elkhorn 8-2

def. E. Brown-E. Sonenson, Holdrege 8-2

def. D. Roberts-T. Wright, NE City 8-1

lost to J. Cabrielas-W. Wondercheck, Waverly, 8-2

"Aside from their loss to Waverly, Asher and Austin had a good day,"Wiemers said. "They continue to improve and are playing with more confidence each time they take the court.

"For being under classmen, they are having a lot of succes and are contributing to the success of the team at an early stage.

"Most freshmen and sophomores do not have the success that these two are experiencing. I'm very excited about the way they are playing and how quickly they have developed into a solid doubles team."

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