Bonney Lake Boys Tennis Beats Bethel 4-1, Settling Last Year's Score
Last season, Bethel handed Bonney Lake a 2-3 loss. On Tuesday afternoon, the Panthers got it back, beating the Bison 4-1 behind a hard-fought day on the doubles courts and a steady performance from their #1 singles player.
The two programs came in close to each other in the SPSL 4A pack, and the scoreline showed it. Two of the Panthers' four wins came down to the wire, a break of serve at #2 doubles and a 10-point tiebreaker at #1 doubles, and all three doubles teams came through. The weather was a gift, with bright sunshine and a bit more glare than anyone wanted on serves, but a beautiful early October afternoon for the last stretch of the regular season.
Munsch Steady at #1 Singles
Senior Cameron Munsch got Bonney Lake started with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Bethel's Jacob Lathrop. Munsch cruised through the first set, then had to dig in during the second, falling behind 3-2 before winning the final four games of the match. He leaned on his net game throughout, finishing points with sharp volleys and sealing the win with a blazing backhand, exactly the kind of tune-up a player wants heading into the postseason.
Bogatov Gains Varsity Experience at #2 Singles
Savva Bogatova stayed in the #2 singles spot and ran into a tough Luke Johnson of Bethel, falling 2-6, 2-6. It was another match of valuable varsity experience for a newcomer who has been asked to step into a big spot this season.
Doubles Delivers
Senior Charlie Sample and sophomore Jeff Absalonson were the first pair off the courts and the most efficient, rolling to a 6-2, 6-1 win at #3 doubles. They did it on Court 6, a switch from where #3 doubles normally plays at Bonney Lake High School. Whatever the reason for the change, the new venue worked out just fine.
Senior William Vescio and junior Everett Brashears delivered the clincher at #2 doubles. After taking the first set 6-4, they fell behind 1-4 in the second, then won six of the next seven games. The last one came with the Panthers up 6-5 and one break away. Facing a second serve at 15-40, Vescio ripped a return down the line for a winner, closing out the 7-5 set and giving the Panthers the third win they needed to take the match.
The final match on the court was the one that kept everyone watching. Seniors Cory Lozano and Logan Schaff took the first set at #1 doubles 6-3, lost the second 5-7 after rallying from 4-1 down to make it close, then went to a 10-point match tiebreaker. Down 7-4, the Panthers refused to quit, with Schaff coming up with an unreal save to help swing the momentum. They rallied to tie it at 9-9, then closed it out 11-9 for the win.
Senior Night Thursday
The Panthers are back at home Thursday to host Yelm in the final home match of the regular season, and it doubles as Senior Night. First serve is at 3:30 p.m. at Bonney Lake High School, and this group of seniors has earned a loud send-off. If you can, come out and cheer on the Panthers one more time on their home courts. From there, the team heads to Leagues next week, with Districts to follow.
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