By By STEVE MORRISON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – In a display of fine serves and excellent forehand returns, coach Gordy Blackmer's Lakeshore Lancers won a convincing victory in boys' tennis over the Viking squad here on a "sweating-blue-bullets" Wednesday afternoon at Niles High School.
The Lancers had some strong efforts from their singles players, particularly Eli Plangger in the first flight. Plangger's rocket serves and numerous solid overhand connects were dominant in his 6-0, 6-0 victory over Niles' Jordan Parks.
Niles' Adam Jenkins worked hard to fight off opponent Hayden Davis, but the result was a 6-2, 6-1 victory for the Lakeshore challenger.
Blackmer was really high on Plangger. "He's probably one of the top five to 10 players in his division in the area. Parks did as well as he could."
In doubles, the Vikings displayed some tenacity of their own. The duo of Chris Archer and Gunnar Pierce pulled out a tight win, in the first set at No. 4 doubles, over Lancers Eric Allman and Zach Tinkle 7-6 in a tiebreaker. Niles came back from 4-3, 5-4, 6-5 deficits to triumph in that contest. After that encouraging attack Allman and Tinkle returned with a vengeance 6-0, 6-1.
Vikings doubles partners Kyle Lee and Dustin Jankoviak came back from a 3-0 deficit to opponents Jeff Ong and Matt Kee in the first set to come close at 4-3. The Lancers pulled it out from there 6-3. Then Lakeshore won the second set easily 6-1.
Niles coach Jill Weber was steady and positive about her athletes. "You may not believe this, but I think the guys played great! There was lots of improvement, even though Lakeshore did well. I'm still really encouraged!"
She is proud of her team's effort, even though she knew that Lakeshore was favored in this event.
Lakeshore…8
Niles…0
Singles
1. Eli Plangger (L) d. Jordan Parks 6-0, 6-0; 2. Kyle McKee (L) d. Zach Payne 6-0, 6-0; 3. Colin McKee (L) d. Matt Ftacek 6-0, 6-0; 4. Hayden Davis (L) d. Adam Jenkins, 6-3, 6-1
Doubles
1. Jeff Ong/Matt Kee (L) d. Kyle Lee/Dustin Jankoviak 6-3, 6-1; 2. Ryan Drees/Eric Nordquist (L) d. Brad Benjamin/Jordan Arnold 6-0, 6-1; 3. Chuck Braddock/Mitch Klunder (L) d. Anthony Gladden/Rich Jurgonki 6-1, 6-1; 4. Eric Allman/Zach Tinkle (L) d. Chris Archer/Gunnar Pierce 6-7, 6-0, 6-1