'It is always a close match': Ashland tennis prevails over Dover

ASHLAND — Ashland High School Tennis coach Taylor Long was nearly perfect with his pre-game assessment as his Arrows prepared to tackle a very solid Dover squad.

“I was telling the guys that every match I had with Dover was 3-2 or 2-3,” said Long. “It is always a close match, and they did beat us the past couple of years. It felt good to get that win and get back on top.”

And when Grant White finally vanquished his opponent, 6-3, 6-2 at third singles, Coach Long was spot on as his Arrows walked off the court a 3-2 victor.

Long made it a clean sweep in the singles rounds as both Cooper Glazier (6-2, 3-6, 6-2) and Ben Sinchok (6-3, 5-7, 7-5) were victorious at first and second singles respectively.

“Every match was close all the way down the lineup,” said Long. “This match was probably the biggest nail-biter we have had this season.”

Glazier cruised in the first set but fell behind in the second before making a rally that set the stage for the 6-2 clincher.

“Their No. 1 was really tough, and Cooper won the first set before falling down 3-0,” said Long. “A lot of players when the fall down 3-0 they lose confidence, and it can be hard to come back. But Cooper came back and won four of the next six games to put the pressure back on his opponent.”

Sinchok also won his first set, dropped the second, but played a tremendous round of tennis in his scintillating 7-5 third set win.

“Ben kind of had the same thing,” said Long. “He won the first set kind of easily and then dropped the second one. He just started missing some of his shots, but in that third set he played a lot smarter. And just like Cooper, because of the experience they have, he too was able to fight back.”

“I think gaining momentum was the key for me,” said Sinchok. “That was a large part of it as was keeping the momentum. I may have let my guard down some in the second set and he came back at me. He was a great player with a great attitude, and it was a fun match to win.”

At first doubles, Landon Davis and Drew Friesen dropped a tough 6-7 opening set before falling 0-6 in the second.

And at second doubles, Grant Koleno and Reid Wash had a similar experience, losing a trio of tough rounds, 7-6, 4-6 and 5-7.

“That was a good third singles set,” said Long. “Grant is only a freshman, but he is so intelligent, and he plays like an upperclassman. He has been pulling out a lot of victories for us at third singles. Having those three players as our one, two and three has been unbelievable.”

Sinchok talked about each teammate pulling for one another as a key to the season.

“I would say it is our good connection overall,” said Sinchok on the Arrows' ability to withstand pressure and prevail. “We are always encouraging each other and always giving each other the best advice we can. And I think that connection plays a huge role in a win like this. I know it can give me momentum in a match and it helps the others as well.”

Long said there is some growth to be had in tight matches like tonight.

“There are just certain teams where the matches are always close,” he said. “Teams like Dover and Norwalk and Wooster. We just always have a close match with those schools no matter what.

“And you don’t know where it is going to be or where you are going to get your points, you just have to find a way to get three points.”

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Boys Tennis: Ashland takes down Dover