Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006

CMA wins preview of possible regional match

By Anthony Gadson
Pilot Sports

PLYMOUTH - With a share of the Northern Lakes Conference title in their back pockets and the postseason just around the corner, the Plymouth Pilgrims hosted the 13th-ranked Culver Military Academy Eagles last night, losing 3-2 on Senior Night.

The outcome of the match was decided by Plymouth's doubles teams defeating CMA's, while CMA's singles players defeated their Plymouth counterparts.

“I was very pleased that we won the match,” CMA coach Alan Loehr said. “Obviously, we wanted to have a better showing at all five courts. That's the disappointing part, that we didn't win at doubles.”

At doubles, the No. 1 match was won 6-3, 6-1 by Plymouth's Jake Palmer and Evan Birchmeier over CMA's twin brother combination of Omar and Shareef Kattan. At No. 2 doubles, Josh Beguin and Matt Cartwright defeated CMA's Nithin Reddy and Luis Trejo 6-3, 6-1.

“We have kids who play doubles with a singles mentality, and Plymouth has kids who play doubles with a doubles mentality,” Loehr said about action on the doubles courts.

For Plymouth, coach Michael Delp has grown accustomed to seeing his doubles teams prevail.

“We played well at spots,” the Plymouth coach said. “I thought the doubles played well, and that's been a match we've been able to count on at times.”

At No. 1 singles, CMA junior Frank Sunseri defeated Plymouth senior Kyle Stump 6-1, 6-3.

“Frank played very well today,” Loehr said. “He got out early, as we like him to do. The thing is, he was able to stay focused throughout the entire match, which is something that has been an issue at times.”

At No. 2 singles, CMA junior Reggie Lemarroy defeated Plymouth junior Nick Neidlinger by a 6-3, 6-1 count. And that was on a bad day.

“Reggie was a struggle all day long,” Loehr said. “He frankly never got off the bus today. Yet, he's talented enough that he can get by and figure out how to win.”

With Sunseri and Lemarroy playing for CMA, the team always has an advantage.

“They're one of the top one-two punches in the state,” Delp said of the two. “They have to be in the top 10 as far as that goes. They have the nice balance of power, touch and they have all the shots.”

CMA's No. 3 singles player, senior Peter Ianello, is also a formidable foe, as he defeated Plymouth senior Travis Langdon 6-2, 6-1. With three players that could easily serve as a No. 1 at any other school, CMA poses a difficult situation for opposing teams.

“The talent they have out of all seven players is phenomenal,” Delp said. “It's tough to match.”

But with a potential regional match-up on tap for next Tuesday, the two squads could face each other again. If that happens, Delp doesn't want his team bowing down to the talented Eagles.

“We need to build the mentality that upsets can happen,” he said. “You must have that mindset, otherwise, what's the point of walking onto the court.”

As Delp looks to keep a positive attitude in his players, Loehr is looking for more discipline from his guys during their last practices before the postseason.

“Our practices need to be a little more focused and disciplined,” he said. “I think we've allowed them to get distracted in practice, and not get locked in on their objectives. We have a few days to get that mindset installed before we go into the postseason.”

CULVER MILITARY ACADEMY 3, PLYMOUTH 2
At Plymouth
Singles: 1. Frank Sunseri (C) def. Kyle Stump (P) 6-1, 6-3; 2. Reggie Lemarroy (C) def. Nick Neidlinger (P) 6-3, 6-1; 3. Peter Ianello (C) def. Travis Langdon (P) 6-2, 6-1.
Doubles: 1. Jake Palmer-Evan Birchmeier (P) def. Omar Kattan-Shareef Kattan (C) 6-3, 6-1; 2. Matt Cartwright-Josh Beguin (P) def. Nithin Riddy-Luis Trejo (C) 6-3, 6-1.
Records: CMA 9-1; Plymouth 10-4.