CCHS Has Tough Start To Boys’ Tennis Season

Columbia Central High School No. 1 singles player Nikolai Panergo watches his shot head over the net during a match Friday against Tecumseh. Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(August 22, 2020 10:17 AM) Things should get a little easier for the Columbia Central High School boys’ tennis team.

That is, after a match against Marshall next week.

The Golden Eagles have started the 2020 season against a pair of larger schools with Marshall on the horizon.

CCHS lost to Coldwater 8-0 to start the season and were blanked by Tecumseh on Friday at home.

Coach Dana Daniels is short of players, but expects a full lineup once school starts.

“We have some kids off for summer jobs,” Daniels said. “We expect to pick up a few more players once school starts.”

Daniels could pick up a few football or soccer players in the near future. Football was postponed until spring and soccer is practicing, but cannot play until the governor lifts COVID-19 restrictions.

Daniels said the district has implemented a number of rules for the COVID-19 pandemic for tennis.

Players have their temperatures checked before matches, only one person turns the place cards for the score, and each player has two tennis balls only they can touch.

The Golden Eagles couldn’t touch Tecumseh on Friday, winning only four games in five matches.

CCHS No. 2 singles player Quinton Meyerink lost 6-3 and 6-0 to Aaron Becker of Tecumseh.

Aden Schmidt of Tecumseh earned a 6-0 and 6-0 win over CCHS player Nikolai Panergo at No. 1 singles. Keegan Reau also won 6-0 and 6-0 for Tecumseh over Dimitri Panergo of CCHS at No. 3 singles.

Emil Holm/Riley Manwaring of Tecumseh won 6-0 and 6-0 at No. 1 doubles over Asher Feldvary and Cameron Wilkins of CCHS.

Tecumseh tennis players David Hunt and David Puffer won 6-0 and 6-1 over Cody Emond and Logan Edwards at No. 2 doubles.

CCHS will face Marshall at home on Tuesday beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tecumseh will travel to Chelsea for an invitational on Tuesday beginning at 8 a.m.