Brownstown tennis suffers a 4-1 defeat to Jennings County

After starting the season 1-0, Brownstown boys ’tennis crashed into the home opening of the high and strong Jennings County team on Tuesday.

The Braves crashed to the Panthers 4-1, and head coach Donnie Thomas knew this was going to be a tough match as he remembers playing for Jennings County last season when he was head coach at Bedford North Lawrence.

“They just didn’t lose anyone, and they got the size and they can hit the ball hard with their services, which we weren’t used to, so we had a hard time getting the ball back,” Thomas said.

In one single Ethan Davis lost to Owen Law 6-0, 6-0 and in three singles Smith Hackman lost to Alex Leach 7-5, 6-0.

Bryce Reasor and Connor Gwin lost 6-3, 6-1 in doubles to Jacob Vogel and Justin Ramey, and Ethan Garland and Grant Elliot lost 6-4, 6-2 in two doubles to Greyson Jackson and Ryan Schuck.

“The four games started pretty well, especially in two doubles,” Thomas said. “They were 3-2 in the lead in the first set and then made a lot of mistakes. I think they played pretty well, but these guys hit the ball harder. I thought it was hard for us.”

Braves ’lone victory came in at number 2, with Pierson Wheeler beating Jansen McDonald 6-3, 6-0.

Wheeler believes his slice was a big reason why he won.

“My slice was pretty good,” Wheeler said. “I get it every time, no double mistakes, and he just couldn’t restore it very well.”

Wheeler is in season 2-0 and has two singles. He won 6-2, 7-5 against Madison on Monday.

“It feels pretty good,” Wheeler said. “We’ve looked good in practice.”

Thomas believes Wheeler played much better on Tuesday than he did on Monday.

On Monday, Wheeler lobbied the ball and then rose to the net, but his opponent lobbied it back over Wheeler’s head, which is why the second set was so tight.

On Tuesday, Wheeler’s opponent didn’t like lobbying, so he was able to use the same strategy and improve its effectiveness.

“He hit the ball harder, much more aggressively,” Thomas said. “He didn’t make bad choices. He did much better tonight.”

As he moves to Brownstown, Thomas wants to see his double teams improve the net.

Just as Jennings County was able to master the internet in singles last night, Thomas hopes his four doubles players can learn from this and start doing the same.

“They don’t have to hit it hard, but put it where they aren’t,” Thomas said. “I just want them to get to that point. I told them, ‘The guys who take the net are the guys who will win.’ “”

Despite a loss on Tuesday, Wheeler thinks the Brownstown team is in good shape for the rest of the season.

He likes what he sees in practice, and believes that over time and as players evolve, Braves should be fine.

“I think we look pretty good,” Wheeler said. “I think we should be pretty good.”

Brownstown will return to the courts on Thursday in North Harrison starting at 5 p.m.