Islander boys cruise to 9-0 victory over Columbus

While Grand Island Senior High's season-opening 9-0 victory over Columbus wasn't without its flaws, one thing Islander co-coach Jill Bernal said she couldn't complain about was her team's intensity and effort.

Despite winning nearly ever match in dominant fashion -- the closest decision was 8-4 -- Bernal said Grand Island didn't let up.

"It went extremely well for us today -- we're very pleased," Bernal said. "The guys really did a good job of keeping their mental focus. Sometimes when you're playing in matches where the score isn't very close and you're not being pressed, it's easy to lose your intensity, but the guys did a good job of not letting that happen."

Bernal said the Islanders showed up ready to play from the very first serve.

"Players like John Steinke and Cody Bartlett came out with poker faces and they're just so mentally tough," Bernal said. "That's another huge key to winning.

"We have a few players who need to concentrate on keeping their intensity, but this is a great group of kids to work with. They're all willing to do whatever they need to do to make the team successful."

Steinke (No. 1 singles), Lance Kush (No. 2 singles) and Trevor Fugitt (No. 5 singles) and the No. 3 doubles team of Duke Nguyen and Fugitt all won by 8-0 scores. Bartlett (No. 3 singles) and Nguyen (No. 4 singles) both won 8-1 decisions.

As is often the case in season openers, Bernal said the Islanders also discovered areas they need to work on. Serving tops the list, she said.

"We're going to take some time in the next few practices to focus more on our serves," Bernal said. "You can't win a point unless you get the ball in play, so that's going to be a big focus for our practices in the next couple of days.

"We had a few more double faults today than we probably would've liked, but they'll work hard on it."



Grand Island 9, Columbus 0

Singles

No. 1--John Steinke, GISH, def. Ryan Fehr, Columbus, 8-0.

No. 2--Lance Kush, GISH, def. Jared Ostdiek, Columbus, 8-0.

No. 3--Cody Bartlett, GISH, def. David Gokie, Columbus, 8-1.

No. 4--Duke Nguyen, GISH, def. Simon Schacher, Columbus, 8-1.

No. 5--Trevor Fugitt, GISH, def. Blake Munson, Columbus, 8-0.

No. 6--Ryan McCarty, GISH, def. Matt Alexander, Columbus, 8-2.

Doubles

No. 1--McMarty/Bartlett, GISH, def. Gokie/Schacher, Columbus, 8-3.

No. 2--Steinke/Kush, GISH, def. Fehr/Ostdiek, Columbus, 8-4.

No. 3--Nguyen/Fugitt, GISH, def. Munson/Alexander, Columbus, 8-0.



Junior Varsity

At Grand Island

Columbus 6, Grand Island 2

Singles

No. 1--David Bartlett, GISH, def. Josh Walkenhorst, Columbus, 8-1.

No. 2--Peter Khanthavixay, GISH, def. Jeff Kohl, Columbus, 8-4.

No. 3--Jason Krings, Columbus, def. C.J. Prather, GISH, 8-3.

No. 4--Taylor Bock, Columbus, def. Benson Moul, GISH, 8-4.

No. 5--Thaddeus Howe, Columbus, def. Donald Nabity, GISH, 8-0.

Doubles

No. 1 --Walkenhorst/Kohl, Columbus, def. Bartlett/Khanthavixay, GISH, 9-7.

No. 2--Krings/Bock, Columbus, def. Prather/Moul, GISH, 8-2.

No. 3--Klatt/Howe, Columbus, def. Leighton/Nabity, GISH, 8-0.

E-mail Terry Douglass