Tennis
Pirates’ tennis went out on a high note May 22, falling to Viewpoint School at home following a deep CIF playoff run that ended in the semifinals against the No. 1-ranked school from Calabasas.
“This is the best thing that could have happened. I’ve never made it past the second round, ever,” co-captain Chase Carhartt said after the loss.
In an attempt to steal some sets in doubles, the team opted to stack its doubles teams with two of its top singles players Carhartt and Los Padres League singles champ, Juan Ferrer.
But the plan didn’t pay off with the doubles losing three games to six after the No. 1 singles team of Evan Ineman and Ryan Allen dropped its first set against Viewpoint’s No. 1 team 2-6.
“It really was a devastating loss,” assistant coach Larry Popkin said.
The No. 1 doubles team from Viewpoint, Brandon Mischel and Jordan Parzick, swept its sets winning 2-6, 3-6 and 1-6.
Ferrer was paired with Brandon Hemming comprising the No. 2 doubles team for the Pirates. Carhartt was paired with Justin Redmann as the No. 3 team. Both teams won one of three sets, losing to Viewpoint’s No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams.
“We weren’t sure how strong their doubles were, so it might have backfired,” Coach Walter Seemann said. But Seemann was quick to note that the strategy was a team decision and no one was to blame.
“I’m happy with the way we ended,” Allen said. “They have the No. 1 team and we knew it was going to be a tough match. I’m not disappointed at all.”
Heading into the last round of sets for the day, the Pirates fate was already sealed, but their fight was still alive.
“I just want to beat the No. 2 team as a moral victory,” junior Ineman said heading into his last set with his partner and senior, Allen.
Coming on strong out of the gate, the boys took a 3-0 lead in the set, only to let the gap close to 4-3. But Ineman and Allen overcame strong drop shots from Viewpoint’s Jack Sanford to pull out the victory 6-3.
Asked if he’d gotten what he wanted coming off the court, Ineman nodded with a subtle grin, “yup.”
The singles road was even tougher sledding for the rearranged roster. The Pirates lost all but one set to the Patriots. The lone win was co-captain Ryan Huebel’s victory over Viewpoint’s No. 3 player Eric Leidersdorf. Aside from the lone victory, Huebel only managed to take three games in total against the Patriot’s No. 1 singles player, Jack Brougham and their No. 2 player Troy List.
“This is definitely the best team we’ve seen in four years,” Carhartt said. “It blew us away.”