Alex Galle and JoJo Woolwine couldn’t have picked a much better outcome for their senior day.
After being honored before Columbus East’s boys tennis match against Greensburg, Galle and Woolwine went out and posted victories to lead the Olympians to a 5-0 shutout.
“It means a lot,” Galle said. “Four years here is a long time, and it’s great to end it on a good note. These are my friends out here, and I love the chance to come out here after school every day and have a good time with them.”
Galle had little trouble in rolling to a 6-0, 6-0 win against Kyle Sellers at No. 1 singles.
“I think I was a lot more consistent from the baseline,” Galle said. “That’s where I’ve been probably struggling the most, so I’m pretty happy with how it went.”
Woolwine had a little more difficulty. He struggled in the first set before catching fire in the second in a 7-6 (3), 6-0 victory against David Lawrence at No. 2 singles.
“I played probably my worst tennis all year the first set,” Woolwine said. “I was really flat-footed and didn’t hit very smart shots, but after I won the first set I knew that I could win the second set. Having a good senior year and getting this win on senior night felt pretty good.”
East coach Jim Stone is happy with the way his seniors have developed over the past three years.
“Looking back, Alex was getting beat at second doubles two years ago,” Stone said. “To now be a legitimate No. 1 (singles) player, he’s really improved.
“JoJo mentally has improved,” he said. “He didn’t play as well the first set, but he did the second set today.”
The Olympians (10-2) won the other three matches, as well. Neeraj Pandita beat Nathan Emsweller 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3 singles.
Matt Furnish and Sammy Woolwine rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 win against Trevor Foster and Logan Smith at No. 1 doubles. Daniel Kuhlman and Austin Guse downed Alex Hughes and Tucker Bailey 6-4, 6-4 at No. 2 doubles.
