INDIANAPOLIS — The way Columbus North tennis coach Kendal Hammel sees it, his doubles team just ran into team that is at the top of its game.
Leo seniors Isaac Steiner and Eli Herran improved to 17-0 by beating the Bull Dog duo of junior Adam Saad and freshman Nathan Lin 6-1, 6-0 Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Boys Tennis Doubles State Finals at Park Tudor.
“They’re very good team,” Hammel said. “They’re solid. They’re playing college tennis next year. We knew we had our hands full. I thought we played well. We did what we needed to do, but they were just better all the way around.”
Hammel said there is nothing his players to be disappointed about their play.
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“We did not fold,” Hammel said. “We simply got outplayed by a much better team.”
Hammel pointed his team was the only one of the final eight with two underclassmen.
“Most of the teams had all seniors,” Hammel said. “I hope they take this experience, learn from it and see what happens down the road possibly.”
Saad and Lin finished with an 18-4 record.
“We worked hard to get to this stage and unfortunately ran into a really strong team,” Saad said. “We need to better next year. We both practiced together. We know what to work on together to come back next year as strong as ever.”
Lin said it was a fun freshman season.
“I learned a lot going from sectional all the way to state,” Lin said. “I feel this is going to motivate us to keep playing and improve more.”
Steiner and Herran took control from start.
“They came out firing right away, and we got up early and they just kept cruising,” said Leo coach Josh Grubbs, whose team plays Center Grove’s Nic Ballesteros and Grant Herron in today’s semifinals.
Steiner played No. 1 singles and Herran No. 2 singles before a decision was made to put them together for the state tournament to give them a shot at making the Doubles State Finals.
“They’re seniors, and they’ve had the experience,” Saad said. “We each have another year. We’re not come in scared, looking around like, ‘Wow, it’s so cool.’ We’re ready. We’re going to get buckled down and we’re going to be back next year.”
