STURGIS — The Sturgis tennis team is finding its groove right now.
On Monday afternoon, the Trojans played once again and hosted Wolverine Conference foe Otsego. Sturgis was able to piece things together and won in convincing fashion, 6-2.
The Trojans won all four singles matches.
Simon Phillips raced to a win over Maddox Haak at first singles, 6-2 and 6-0. Second singles saw Carter Oswald beat Connor Taylor 6-0, 6-0. In third singles play, Brody Currier out-lasted Carson Wiser 6-1, 7-6 (3) and Cooper Barkby won at fourth singles over Xavier Meyer 6-0, 6-2.
“The singles were very strong, as usual, and gave up very few games,” Sturgis coach George Earl said. “Special shout out to Brody Currier at three singles, who, after winning an easy first set, overcame a slight loss in confidence and playing below his normal level to win the second in a tiebreak.”
In doubles play, the top team of Andrew Scheske and Easton Barkby fell 6-1, 6-3. In fourth doubles play, the team of Brayden Bibb and Kellen Meyer lost a tough one in three sets at 7-5, 2-6 and 6-3.
Alex Cypher and Seth Larimer won at second doubles, they beat Jacob Austin and Kayleb Nelson 6-3, 6-1. The third doubles team of Dominic Brown and Andrew Cypher were victorious over Simon Pabocik and Sean Erntes in three sets at 6-2, 3-6 and 6-1.
“A special shout out to second doubles Alex Cypher and Seth Larimer, who, with very little coaching, were able to solve their own problems and play one of their best matches of the year,” Earl said.
Back on Saturday, the Trojans welcomed in a handful of opponents and won two of the three matches. Sturgis picked up a 6-2 win over Jackson and a 5-3 victory over Portland. Only St. Joseph edged the Trojans on the scoreboard, winning 5-3.
“The Trojans proved once again that they could go the distance and play their third match just as strong as their first,” Earl said.
Picking up wins for Sturgis against St. Joseph were Oswald (5-7, 7-5 and 10-8), Currier (6-3, 6-1) and Cooper Barkby (6-2, 6-2) all in singles action.
Sturgis won three of four matches in singles play over Jackson as well. Oswald won 6-1, 6-0; Currier won 6-2, 6-1 and Cooper Barkby won at fourth singles 6-0, 6-4. Easton Barkby and Andrew Scheske earned a win by default. Brown and Andrew Cypher recorded a 6-2, 6-1 win at third doubles while Bibb and Meyer won at fourth doubles by a score of 6-0, 6-0.
In singles play against Portland, Phillips earned a 6-1, 6-0 victory. Oswald won 6-1, 6-0 as well while Currier logged a 6-1, 6-3 victory, Cooper Barkby won 6-1, 6-1. The duo of Bibb and Meyer won in fourth doubles play as well at 6-1, 6-1.
Last week, Sturgis beat up on Plainwell 7-1. Phillips (6-1, 6-1); Oswald (6-1, 6-0); Currier (6-0, 6-1) and Cooper Barkby (6-0, 6-0) all won in singles play. Alex Cypher and Larimer won 6-0, 6-1; Brown and Andrew Cypher won 6-2, 6-1 and Meyer teamed up with Logan White, a JV sub, to win 6-0, 6-1 at fourth doubles.
In junior varsity play, Sturgis recently beat Plainwell 2-1. Zach Charles and Anthony Park won at first doubles, Oliver Stewart and Connor Handyside won at second doubles.
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis tennis team beats Otsego with sweep of singles
