Like so many of its predecessors, the Shorewood boys tennis team’s 40th straight victory came with little suspense.
The Thunderbirds completed a perfect first half of the Western Conference 4A South Division season with a dominating 7-0 win over Kamiak Sept. 30 at Shoreview Park.
In a battle of unbeatens and a rematch of last year’s district singles championship, Shorewood No. 1 Jeff Jablonksi squashed Kamiak’s Marc Rollins 6-3, 6-0.
For the second match in a row, the T-birds didn’t drop a set en route to their fifth consecutive shutout.
“So far, so good,” Shorewood coach Corliss Liekkio said. “I think the league is a little tougher this year.”
Well, so are the T-birds. A lot tougher.
Through their first eight outings, the T-birds have won all but six of their 56 matches.
“The second time around, I’m expecting us to have some closer matches,” Liekkio said.
Shorewood’s singles ladder was boosted by the late arrival of freshman Nomar Mapolo, who won his first four matches convincingly and will be a solid No. 2 behind Jablonski.
“He hits the ball huge,” Liekkio said. “He’s a real smart player. He figures out his opponent’s weakness quickly and attacks it.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
