They played out of their own league and walked away winners.
Against competition big and small, the South Whidbey High School boys tennis team was unbeatable this week, taking out 2A Friday Harbor Tuesday and 3A Burlington-Edison Thursday. If only it had been more of a challenge.
“They just weren’t as good as I thought they were going to be,” said Falcon coach Tom Kramer. “I expected more from them.”
The Falcon boys had their tougher meet against Burlington-Edison, winning 5-2 on the strength of solid doubles play. Against Friday Harbor, there was little resistance as South Whidbey walked through the meet 6-0.
Tim Klopfenstein, the team’s No. 1 singles player, drew the most punishing matchup of the week, losing his Thursday match 0-6, 3-6. Kramer said the sophomore player fell victim to a lack of experience.
“Tim was overmatched,” Kramer said. “He played the best their team had to offer, a good experience.”
Following the match, Klopfesnstein’s opponent, Aaron Cohen, said the Falcon team was good nonleague competition for his team.
“A lower level of play, but challenging enough and a good practice,” Cohen said.
But it got better for South Whidbey. At No. 2, Alex Hoelting got past his challenger 6-3, 7-5. But, according to Hoelting, it wasn’t easy.
“This is the hardest I’ve worked all season,” a winded Hoelting said after the first match. “I was running a lot.”
Todd Berry also won, defeating his opponent, 6-3, 6-4, while Kai Fleming-Snow — moving from doubles to singles competition — won his first set 7-5 before falling 5-7, 4-6.
Kramer altered the rotation of his doubles players. Bryan Wilson and Mike Berry, who usually play singles, combined their talents to play in the top South Whidbey doubles spot. They whipped their opponents 6-1, 6-1.
At the second doubles spot, Bill Schneeman and Stephan Pan had the blowout of the day, winning 6-0, 6-0. Kenny Johnson and Devon Parrick came up winners at No. 3 doubles, on a 6-0, 6-3 performance.
The Falcons play next on Monday in Coupeville, then come home Wednesday against Blaine.
