Crusaders open season with 7-2 win

Grand Island Central Catholic's tennis team got the season off to a successful start with a 7-2 victory over Kearney Catholic on Thursday at Ryder Park.

The Crusaders won five of six singles matches and two of the three in doubles.

"We talk about our depth," GICC coach Bill Gavers said. "Up and down the ladder, we're pretty solid. We got five our of six singles wins. The only loss, Jacob (Nordhues) was down 6-1 and cut it to 6-5."

Nordhues, playing at No. 1 singles, fell to Kearney Catholic's Peter Messbarger 8-5. GICC's Alex Wirth won at No.2 singles, Wes Walton at No. 3, Turner Fahey at No. 4, Dylan Redman at No. 5, and Cody Nordhues at No. 6.

Spencer Fahey teamed up with younger brother Turner to win at No. 1 singles. Redman and Jacob Nordhues won at No. 2 doubles.

"I thought our doubles play was pretty good," Gavers said. "The nice thing is, (today) we'll have Skutt coming in. They'll be very good so we'll get tested right away again."

The Crusaders will be in action each of the first three days of the season. They will host Omaha Skutt in a duel on Friday, then host the GICC Invitational on Saturday.

"That's good because we find out a lot about what we need to work on," Gavers said. "When you practice you can find out some things, but competition tells you what you're good at, but also what you need to work on. It exposes you a little bit. To have three right out of the gate against good competition is a positive thing for us."

Adams Central, Lincoln Christian, McCook and Omaha Skutt will all play at the invitational on Saturday. Action begins at 9 a.m. and will take place at Beuchler Park, Ryder Park and the Senior High courts.

"Three of the top No. 1 singles players in the state will be here from McCook, Skutt and Lincoln Christian," Gavers said. "There are some good doubles teams back. It's pretty deep, pretty talented. That's good because the more people you play like that, when you go to Lincoln you're not afraid to compete because you've already played good people all year."



Grand Island CC 7, Kearney Catholic 2

Singles

No. 1  --  Peter Messbarger, KC, def. Jacob Nordhues 8-5.

No. 2  --  Alex Wirth, GICC, def. Brandon Shondoff 8-3.

No. 3  --  Wes Walton, GICC, def. Jake McCoy 8-4.

No. 4  --  Turner Fahey, GICC, def. Eric Rodine 8-5.

No. 5  --  Dylan Redman, GICC, def. Mike Ghoul 8-3.

No. 6  --  Cody Nordhues, GICC, def. Nick Brummer 8-6.

Doubles

No. 1  --  Spencer Fahey/Turner Fahey def. McCoy/Ghoul 8-0.

No. 2  --  Redman/Jacob Nordhues, GICC, def. Rodine/Brummer 8-1.

No. 3  --  Messbarger/Shundoff, KC, def. Wirth/Walton, 9-8 (7-2).

E-mail Bob Hamar