Jesuit Prevails in Battle of Defending State Champions

Posted March 6, 2015 / Last updated March 8, 2015

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Junior Jonathan Niehaus picked up wins at Line 1 singles and doubles against Country Day on Friday, March 6.

Junior Jonathan Niehaus picked up wins at Line 1 singles and doubles against Country Day on Friday, March 6. Jesuit defeated the Cajuns, 7-0, to improve to 6-0 in dual meet play.

The weather wreaked havoc on Thursday with the Jesuit tennis team‘s scheduled showdown with defending LHSAA Division IV champions Country Day.

On Friday, the weather was fine for the make-up, but the Blue Jays, the defending Division I state champs, weren’t able to field their best line-up. The team’s top two singles players, seniors Gregory Suhor and Alex DePascual, were en route to Lake Charles for tournament play, as was sophomore Jack Steib, who plays Line 3 doubles.

Fortunately, the “next men up” were more than up to the task.

Play started on the doubles lines, and Jesuit jumped all over the Cajuns, winning the three pro sets by a combined score of 24-2. Juniors Jonathan and Jacob Niehaus picked up an 8-2 win at Line 1 doubles. Junior Brandon Beck teamed with senior Patrick Torsch for a shutout on Line 2, while sophomore Trey Hamlin and junior Andrew Nguyen did the same on Line 3.

In singles, Jonathan Niehaus scored an 8-4 win on Line 1, while his twin brother Jacob won 8-0 on Line 2. Things were tighter on Lines 3 and 4, with Beck and Torsch winning by scores of 9-7 and 8-6, respectively.

“That was a solid win against a very good high school tennis team,” said Coach Travis Smith.

With the victory, Jesuit improved to 6-0 in dual meet play.

The team will take a break for exam week before returning to action against St. Martin’s on Tuesday, March 17. Match time is 4:00 p.m. at the UNO Tennis Center.