​Drinkwater, Miller guide Eagles to 6-3 win over Blue Springs

by Michael Smith

      Grain Valley junior Ben Drinkwater will be seeing a big jump in competition in 2023.
     Last season, he was at the No. 4 spot. This year he will be facing the competition’s best players as he will be serving as the Eagles No. 1 singles player.
     He seems to be doing well in his new spot as witnessed in Thursday’s non-conference contest with Blue Springs.
     He teamed with senior Ethan Miller in the No. 1 doubles match to win 8-4 and he dominated his singles match 8-1 against Blue Springs junior Ethan Shryer to help his team capture a 6-3 victory at home.
     Drinkwater and Miller are the only returning varsity players from last year’s team and Draper will be looking for them to play a leadership role for the Eagles.
     “This was a good one to win,” Grain Valley veteran head coach Randy Draper said. “This was a close match. It was a good step for our team. When you win No. 1 and 2 singles and No. 1 doubles, it’s a good day.
     “Our team needs them (Miller and Drinkwater) to take off. It will give us weapons at the top that we need.”
     Drinkwater said his chemistry has returned with Miller. The duo teamed together in 2021 but had different partners in 2022 for most of the season before teaming up near the end of it.
     “I think it’s growing throughout the season,” Drinkwater said. “We are just playing more together and practicing together day in and day out. It’s really nice.”
     In singles competition, Drinkwater said he’s ready for the challenge of pacing the opposing team’s best player in any dual.
     “I am very competitive and I set a goal to get a certain number,” Drinkwater said. “I have hit that goal every time so far and have gone above it, too.”
     Miller also won his singles match as he took down Ethan Bui in an 8-3 victory. He was struggling to start the season but is beginning to turn it around.
     “When I started high school tennis this season, I got into a slump off the rip,” Miller said. “I didn’t play so good the first two weeks, so it feels good to start playing decent again. I got my swing back and I am ready to take on the rest of the season.”
     Others to win for the Eagles were No. 3 doubles team of John Cassidy and Blake Galvan 8-6. Cassidy won his No. 5 singles match 8-3 and Galvan won at No. 6, 8-3.
     “It was a big win for him,” Draper said of Cassidy. “He’s been close (to winning matches earlier in the season). He needed to get a (win) for his own good. He’s been playing more confidently lately and it showed tonight.”
     Added Miller: “We have a lot of newer kids on our team that are getting their first varsity matches and they are helping us pick up some wins and come along like (Cassidy).

Junior Ben Drinkwater, left, and Ethan Miller won their No. 1 doubles match 8-4 and also won their singles matches to help Grain Valley top Blue Springs 6-3 in a dual Thursday at home. Photo credit: Michael Smith