GISH wins close dual with Rockets

The Grand Island Senior High boys tennis team started the three day homestretch the way they wanted. With a win. The Islanders opened that stretch with a 5-4 victory over Lincoln Northeast Monday at the GISH Tennis Courts.

Grand Island coach Josh Budler said he expected the match with the Rockets to be close and was glad to get the win. "I thought this was a dual that was going to be tight and maybe be a 5-4 match one way or the other," Budler said. "To come out on top is really nice.



" Senior Riley Voss and Mason Havel led the way for the Islanders. The two teamed together at No. 1 doubles and posted a close 8-6 win over Jordan Lemon and Logan Gillet.

After that, the two dominated their singles match. Voss defeated Gillet 8-1 at No. 1 singles, while Havel also won 8-1 over Myles Thorpe at No.

2 singles. Both were opponents they had faced in singles matches earlier in the year. Havel was facing Thorpe for the third time this season and now holds a 2-1 lead after Monday's win.

Budler said he felt those two had great days, especially after getting a close win at No. 1 doubles. He added that he felt the two are playing good tennis right now.

"I don't think they felt they played well in their doubles match as they pulled out a tight match," Budler said. "They were eager to get out on the court in their singles' matches and set it right and they did that. Their level of play has been outstanding lately and continued that today.

"They are proving that they are probably two of the better players in the state, especially Riley after he won the Kearney Invite on Friday. The wins for both of them are nice that they are stacking up with their record but their performances are what's really important." Brydon Stein won 8-4 over Bode Thompson at No.

5 singles, while Kalen Boltz and Nik Parmley teamed together to get an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles. "Those kids played very well in their matches as well," Budler said.

The Islanders will play at home the next two days. They'll host Hastings on Tuesday and Lincoln Southeast on Wednesday. Both duals will start at 4 p.

m. both days. Budler said it's nice to have the Islanders play at home for three straight days.

"It's nice to not get on the road and go somewhere," Budler said. "It's nice to play in front of our fans. Hopefully we can play just as well if not better than we did today.

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