Competition at practice has helped elevate the play of Niles’ No. 2 doubles team of Nick Borkowski and Derek Brown.

Borkowski and Brown have had heated practice matches against teammate Matt and Brad Miller, who rank among the best No. 1 doubles teams in the area.

Borkowski and Brown improved to 16-3 on the year Wednesday after beating Edwardsburg’s Marcus Colon and Devin Dosmann, 6-0, 6-2. The Vikings would go on and beat the Eddies, 5-3, in non-conference action.

“I think it makes us play better since we have to play against them every day (in practice),” said Brown. “We hang with them each set, but they usually beat us. They’re pretty tough. I think they make us push harder. The four of us are a pretty tight group.”

Borkowski agrees with Brown when assessing the influence of the two Millers.

“I think they never give us any easy shots so every time at practice we’re getting better because they’re pushing us,” said Borkowski.

Borkowski, who’s a senior, played at No. 3 doubles last year, while Brown, who’s a sophomore, played at No. 4 doubles.

“Last year, we wanted to play together at 3 (doubles), but this year (Niles coach Jill Weber) put us together at 2 (doubles),” Brown said.

Brown and Borkowski established a quick chemistry on the court.

“It took only one or two weeks for us to become familiar with each other’s game,” Borkowski said. “It didn’t take long. “We play together really well. We have a good connection on the court.”

Niles assistant coach Brad Paquette has been impressed with the progress of Brown and Borkowski.

“Two doubles has been strong all year long,” said Paquette, who filled in for Weber at the end of the match because she had another committment. “Their heads are normally in the game and they keep each other up. They’re pretty strong leaders too.”

The Vikings clinched the match against the Eddies with their win at No. 3 doubles. Matt Lee and Jake Ruelle won a hard fought match over Edwardsburg’s Adam Kozinski and Ryan Rogers, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Niles also got wins at No. 1 singles (Michael Geiger), No. 3 singles (Micah Weigel) and at No. 1 doubles (Matt Miller and Brad Miller).

“It was a battle,” Paquette said. “The two teams were out there gunning and didn’t give up points easily. Edwardsburg is a good team.”

Edwardsburg got wins at No. 2 singles (Brendon Handy), No. 4 singles (Jacob Kanaby) and at No. 4 doubles (Tevin Alexander and Jacob Lahyer).

“We started off where we were getting beat pretty good in some of the flights,” said Edwardsburg coach Mark Zarycki. “I liked our tenacity as the match went along and that we didn’t quit. We battled and I’m proud of them.”

Edwardsburg…3

Niles…5

Singles

1. Michael Geiger (N) d. Jordan Douglas, 6-1, 6-0; 2. Brendon Handy (E) d. Rob Lundberg, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2; 3. Micah Weigel (N) d. Ben Weaver, 6-2, 6-4; 4. Jacob Kanaby (E) d. Sam Queisi, 6-0, 6-2

 

Doubles

1. Matt Miller-Brad Miller (N) d. Joe Queener-Chris Jones, 6-0, 6-0; 2. Nick Borkowski-Derek Brown (N) d. Marcus Colon-Devin Dosmann, 6-0, 6-2; 3. Matt Lee-Jake Ruelle (N) d. Adam Kozinski-Ryan Rogers, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2; 4. Tevin Alexander-Jacob Lahyer (E) d. Jacob Ganus-Derrick Dye, 6-1, 6-4