​Eagles comeback attempt falls short in 6-3 loss to the Tigers

by Michael Smith


The Grain Valley boys tennis team had a golden opportunity to win a big match early in the season.

The Eagles hosted Lee’s Summit, a team that had a 3-0 record coming into the contest.

The Tigers led Grain Valley 4-3 with two matches remaining, but the Eagles needed their final two singles players to come away with wins. Senior Carter Williams, the No. 2 player, and junior John Cassidy, No. 4, led both of their respective singles matches 6-5 and just needed to win two more sets to help claim the team win.

However, both fell in close matches as Cassidy fell 8-6 and Williams dropped his game 8-7 (7-4 tiebreaker) as Grain Vally fell 6-3 Thursday.

While it was a tough loss, Grain Valley head coach Randy Draper and his players came away with some positives.

​“I was pleased for the most part,” Draper said. “We are learning a lot about our lineup. Our guys lost in some really good matches. I think John learned today that he needs to make his  opponent play the match on his terms.

“Our No. 3 doubles team only lost two sets. There’s a lot to feel good about, now we just have to get better.”

No. 5 singles player Blake Galvan and No. 6 Aiden Wilson had similar sentiments as their head coach.

“It’s a really good feeling (to play Lee’s Summit close),” Wilson said. “Last year, we lost to them 9-0. So, it may be a good sign for the rest of our season.” 

Galvan and Wilson only played in singles matches and both won by a score of 8-3.

Wilson said he felt better getting a win after he lost a match against his opponent on the road at Staley High School Tuesday.

“It was a breath of fresh air for sure,” Wilson said. “My last match against Staley was not the best. I needed a win today.

“My serve was really working today, and I was going a good job at playing my game.”

Added Galvan: “I want out there and played with confidence. I was also placing the ball well.”

Because of Grain Valley’s depth, Draper was able to play eight players in Thursday’s match. Galvan and Wilson were able to concentrate just on singles matches while the duo of senior Campbell Childers and sophomore Riley Spencer focused on doubles.

That twosome come up with the Eagles only doubles win at No. 3 by an 8-1 margin.

​“Our No. 3 doubles team has only lost one set in two matches,” Draper said. “I think our five, six, seven, eight, nine guys are not that far apart. Some people play better doubles than they do singles. That team with Spencer and Childers seem to have good communication and the ball is in play all the time.”