By Cort Reynolds
By dominating the singles flights, the Ada boys tennis team won the outright championship at the six-team Northern Buckeye Tennis League tournament in Defiance on a windy Friday.
The Bulldogs scored 13 points to defeat second-place Bryan (10). Wauseon was third with seven, followed by Archbold in fourth with six points. Rossford tallied two points and Defiance Ayersville was last with one point.
Ada players won the individual titles at the first, second and third singles flights to pave the way to the team championship. The title matches in each flight were played inside due to strong winds.
"Last year we won the NBTL tournament in a tiebreaker with three other teams," said Ada head coach Christy Beaschler. "We wanted to go back this year, play our best and defend the title.
"This year we were able to win it outright," she continued. "All of the players had some great matches. I am proud of all the players. They fought hard and played to stay in every point."
Senior Bulldog ace Zach Beaschler stayed unbeaten (15-0) this spring after winning the NBTL first singles crown for the second year in a row.
Following a first round bye, the top seed rolled through two matches 6-2, 6-0 and 6-2, 6-1 to capture the first singles title easily for the second year in a row.
Junior Cade Mullins also received a first round bye in the second singles tournament. He won his semifinal match 6-3, 6-0 and then won via forfeit in the finals to repeat as league champ and run his record to 11-2 this season.
Sophomore Isaac Spar also won the third singles NBTL crown. He got a bye in round one, then won in the semis 6-1, 6-3. In the finals, Spar prevailed 7-5, 6-2.
"To see all three singles (players) come out and win their flights was so exciting," said coach Beaschler.
After a bye, Ada seniors Acel Gamble and Adam Bailey lost a tight second doubles semifinal match 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 to the eventual runner-up duo from Bryan.
In the first doubles flight, the Bulldog team of Miranda Wills and Nathan Hurtig lost a very close three-set battle in the first round. The Ada tandem won the first set 6-4, then fell 7-5 and 7-6 (7-4) in a tight third set tie-breaker.
"First doubles came away with a hard-fought three-set loss, but played strong all the way through," said Beaschler. "Second doubles came ever so close to winning their match; you can't get much closer than 7-6, 7-5."
Ada (9-1) will play at Upper Sandusky in their final dual match Monday, May 7.
The sectionals will also be held at Defiance May 10 and May 12. Top four finishers advance to the district event at Bowling Green May 18-19.
Beaschler is aiming for his third straight state tournament appearance. He made it to the quarterfinals last spring. Mullins also qualified for districts last season.
