Boys Tennis

Manchester stormed into the 2017 boys tennis season with a vengeance, beating Wawasee 5-0 in North Manchester.

Straight set wins at one singles and one doubles got the Squires on the board, Luke Donathan beating Dylan Staley one and four while the team of Logan Parrett and Parker Wagoner beat Jake Cowan and Jacob Krugman one and two. Three singles wrapped it up for the Squires as Quinn Martin, just a freshman in his first taste of varsity life, beat Zach Leedy four and two.

Both Manchester two singles and two doubles courts won its first set, then had to rally for three-set victories. Spence Trick beat Graham Perek 6-0, only for Perek to rally at 6-2 to force the third. Trick then throttled up and beat Perek 6-1. In doubles, Kyle Shephard and Kam Lester won 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 against Brady Robinson and Collin Rhoades.

In JV matches, Uria Hein and Grant Strobel won for the Squires, Clayton Firestone the lone tally for the Warriors.

“Opening nights are full of nerves and unpredictability,” said Manchester head coach Eric Screeton. “Both teams showed some nerves, but the home Squires were able to capture the night with a decisive 5-0 victory in front of a large crowd. That was a great night of tennis for us, in front of one of the biggest crowds at home I have seen for a tennis match in a few years.”

Manchester (1-0) will host Maconaquah Thursday while Wawasee (0-1) will visit Lakeland on Wednesday.

Girls Soccer

A rough start had a bright finish for the Lady Warriors despite a 4-3, season-opening loss at Lakeland.

The Lakers took a 4-0 lead into the 60th minute and were on cruise control, only for Wawasee to pot the match’s final three goals to make the game a lot closer than it started.

Nadia Palacios scored Wawasee’s first goal and Hannah Lancaster plugged in a pair to bring Wawasee within one, but the clock struck 80 before Wawasee could find the equalizer.

Wawasee will host West Noble on Wednesday in its home opener.