Lehman Catholic tennis picks up win over Piqua

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SIDNEY — It is two high school tennis programs at completely different points.

So, the results in Lehman Catholic’s 5-0 win over Piqua tennis were not completely unexpected.

Lehman Catholic coach Tim Ungericht has continued the success previous coaches had at Lehman, while Piqua first-year coach Brian Gillespie is looking to put the beginning pieces in building a program.

Lehman was coming off two tough matches with Milton-Union and Troy and the victory improved the Cavaliers to 4-3 on the season.

In singles, Danny Lins defeated Demi Nicholas 6-1, 6-1; Sam Gilardi defeated Jackson Elliott 6-0, 6-0; and Max Schmiesing defeated Stephen Dolder 6-1, 6-0.

In doubles, Elijah Jock and Eliaz Bezy defeated Cael Barr and Ethan Hammon 6-0, 6-1.

“We needed this match,” Ungericht said. “And that is no slight on Piqua. We are coming off a couple tough matches.”

And Ungericht is happy with his team’s progress this spring.

“You look at everything we lost off last year’s team,” he said. “Danny is making a big jump from first doubles to first singles. He gets a couple wins and that will give him confidence. You look at the teams we lost to. Our other loss is to Wapakoneta who could be the WBL champions.

“It is supposed to be a rebuilding year and we are 4-3. These were tough conditions to play in tonight, but we are going to see a lot of that in the spring, so that is always good to work on that.”

Josh George defeated Noah Ruley 6-0, 6-0.

“I have always spent as much time working with the JV as varsity,” Ungericht said. “That’s important because they are going to have to move up at some point and you want to get them ready. Max Schmiesing has had to step in at third singles. Josh George has only been playing for a month and he has already moved up to number eight on the team.”

Gillespie knew it was not going be a quick fix at Piqua.

“You look at it, we are basically all freshman and sophomores,” he said. “We just don’t have a lot of experience. Demi (Nicholas) is really our only player with experience.”

And Ungericht has compassion for the Piqua team and encouraged them after the match.

“Piqua is my hometown,” Ungericht said. “I want to see those guys do well. Brian (Gillespie) will be a good coach. He has the energy for the job and that is the big thing.”

Piqua was scheduled to host Urbana Friday, while Lehman Catholic has a MVTCA Cup Flight Tournament Saturday.

Lehman Catholic’s Danny Lins hits a forehand during a match against Piqua on Thursday in Sidney. Lins won 6-1, 6-1 at first singles.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2019/04/web1_040419mju_tenis_lhs_dannylins-1.jpgLehman Catholic’s Danny Lins hits a forehand during a match against Piqua on Thursday in Sidney. Lins won 6-1, 6-1 at first singles. Mike Ullery | AIM Media Midwest

Lehman Catholic’s Sam Gilardi stretches to get a backhand return shot during a match against Piqua on Thursday in Sidney. Gilardi won 6-0, 6-0 at second singles.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2019/04/web1_040419mju_tennis_lhs_samgilardi-1.jpgLehman Catholic’s Sam Gilardi stretches to get a backhand return shot during a match against Piqua on Thursday in Sidney. Gilardi won 6-0, 6-0 at second singles. Mike Ullery | AIM Media Midwest

By Rob Kiser

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Reach Piqua Daily Call Sports Editor Rob Kiser at [email protected].

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