By Luke Nadkarni / Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor
After a thunderstorm forced play to the indoor courts at the Boar’s Head Sports Club, the Albemarle boys team took the court against Marshall but couldn’t find a rhythm, falling 5-0 to end its season. The Patriots battled hard in each individual match, but the Statesmen proved to be too much.
“We were actually looking forward to coming indoors,” AHS head coach Chip Grobmyer said. “We’ve had a lot of success at Boar’s Head. Last year we came here and won the region.”
History didn’t repeat itself Tuesday. Chris Beddow got things going for the visitors from Fairfax County by making quick work of David Grbic at No. 3 by a score of 6-3, 6-0. The next two matches finished almost simultaneously and featured wins for the Statesmen, with No. 2 Ryan Feenick recovering from a nasty fall in the second set to defeat Charlie Shepherd 6-0, 6-2, while No. 4 Daniel Bleykman held off Joey Michel 6-2, 7-5 for a 3-0 lead.
“Joey played fantastic, coming from 2-5 down to tie it up,” Grobmyer said. “I’m so proud of him and the way he played today.”
Michel was one of two AHS seniors finishing his career. The other was No. 1 Jake Brooks, who dropped a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 decision to Marshall freshman Logan Tran. Minutes later, Marshall’s John Garvey finished off Doyeop Kim 6-2, 6-3 at No. 5, giving the Statesmen an insurmountable 5-0 lead. They’ll take on the winner of the Brooke Point-Stone Bridge match in the semifinals.
“[Jake and Joey] have been staples of Albemarle tennis for four years,” Grobmyer said. “I’ve watched their progression from sophomore to senior to junior. Jake was playing a fantastic player today.”
Marshall 5, Albemarle 0
Singles
1. Tran d. Brooks 6-4, 6-4
2. Feenick d. Shepherd 6-0, 6-2
3. Beddow d. Grbic 6-3, 6-0
4. Bleykman d. Michel 6-2, 7-5
5. Garvey d. Kim 6-2, 6-3
6. San Nicolas vs. Patel 6-2, 5-4 DNF
