By Gerardo Bolong

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Critical wins in doubles action sent the Mt. Rainier boys into a hard fought 4-1 NPSL 4A Cascade Division home boys tennis victory against visiting Kentwood on Thurs., Sept. 19, in Des Moines.

Ram head coach Tim Lee was pleased with the second win in three league matches.

”These were tough matches,” said longtime Ram head coach Tim Lee. “I thought the third doubles played softly. We had to close down their shots and pressure them. The second doubles started badly, but had determination and energy. Last season we had many seniors, but a good number of players had a few matches at varsity. A few wins will build up the confidence.”

Talented Kyle Lee controlled No. 1 singles in a 6-1, 6-0 victory against Kevin Khong.

The Rams evened up the proceedings when Hunter Schierback and Andrew Hoang defeated Phat Trinh and Dennis Alexandrow in three sets of No. 1 boys doubles play.

Mt. Rainier was totally dominated in a 6-0 first set loss, but dialed up the determination to control the second set at 6-2.

In the decider, the Rams trailed 4-3 before breaking and holding serve. KW then double faulted for game, set, and match to Mt. Rainier.

”We had determination,” said Schierback. “Don’t go out without a fight. We had more grit and determination plus belief.”

Lucas Orint and Cameron Camp took a workmanlike 6-3, 6-3, No. 1 doubles verdict over Evan Buchan and Josh Shin to return MR into the lead.

Two additional matches remained for either school to claim overall mastery.

Tanner Huck and Colin Olmstead had the first opportunity to clinch for the Rams in No. 3 doubles.

The Ram tandem traded 6-4 wins in the first two sets against Taylor Javelli and Kaeden Buchan.

In the deciding set, the Mt. Rainier duo trailed 4-1 at one point. Huck and Olmstead kept working away to trail only 4-3.

Like a wave gaining strength, the Rams continued the comeback with a break of serve and a hold of serve. One final service break brought MR all the way back for a 6-4 third set triumph.

”It started with one good point and kept building,” Olmstead observed.

Huck described the situation clearly.

”We just did a lot of everything," added Huck. ‘It was all about momentum.”

The final match showed Lucas Bradshaw dropping a 6-4 first set in No. 2 singles against Colin Borile before taking a 7-6 (7-4) second set.

With Mt. Rainier already in the overall winners circle, the third set went to super tie-breaker. Even this set went into marathon-like conditions until Bradshaw emerged from the battle of spin shots and lobs with a 15-13 final win.