Tennis team ends season in subsectional
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
There were plenty of positives that came out of Monday’s WIAA Division 2 boys tennis subsectional at East Troy.
Not only did the Trojans send two singles players – Dayne Lindow at No. 1 and Mac Dudkiewicz at No. 3 – to Wednesday’s sectional, they also gained a measure of revenge over Rock Valley Conference rival McFarland.
Madison Edgewood won the subsectional with 24 points to advance as a team, followed by the Trojans with 14 and McFarland, which won the RVC title, with 12.
East Troy was second behind the Spartans at the RVC Tournament.
“The kids played great,” East Troy coach Dave Lindow said. “Another awesome tournament following the conference tournament. … It was great to watch this team come together and play so well.
“(This was) one of the most satisfying seasons I’ve coached. I’m really proud of these guys. They gave me everything they could. They should be proud of themselves.”
Dayne Lindow advanced with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Monroe’s Bo Bahler to improve to 16-5 overall.
“He’s done an outstanding job playing (No.) 1 singles as a freshman,” his father said.
Dudkiewicz punched his sectional ticket with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Monroe’s Gabe Moon, followed by a 6-2, 6-4 win over Whitewater’s Nick Kuzoff.
The two wins improved Dudkiewicz to 12-9 overall.
“Mac is one of our most improved kids,” Lindow said. “He’s very competitive and never gives up. Advancing to sectionals is very hard, and he has come a long way.”
The spring season came to a close for the rest of the Trojans.
Connor Paullin at No. 2 singles opened play with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Whitewater’s Austin Kaja, but fell, 3-6, 0-6, to McFarland’s Jack Newman.
Kaja was seeded third.
“(Paullin) has played outstanding in the last couple of weeks,” Lindow said. “He did a great job playing number two singles as a freshman. I’m looking forward to seeing what him and Dayne can do in the years to come.”
At No. 4 singles, John Marshman defeated Big Foot’s John McHugh, 7-6 (1), 6-1, but fell to Monroe’s Charlie Frehner, 1-6, 3-6 in the next round.
“What an outstanding season for a first-year player,” Lindow said. “Josh competed in every match this season and had a great year. He will definitely be missed next year. He had a great work ethic and gave 100 percent in every match.”
The Trojans’ No. 1 doubles team of Sam Gerber and Griffin Jurgilanis closed their season with a 7-6 (6), 1-6, 3-6 loss to Big Foot.
“They keep improving, and they took Big Foot to the limit,” Lindow said. “I’m looking forward to watching these two keep improving and hopefully get to that state tournament as seniors.”
Both the Trojans No. 2 and 3 teams split two matches Monday.
At No. 2, Paul Friemoth and Connor Knudsen beat McFarland, 6-3, 6-3, but fell to Edgewood, 1-6, 2-6. The No. 3 duo of Nick Schwall and Zack Burke beat Whitewater, 6-2, 6-2, but fell, 2-6, 2-6 to Madison Edgewood.
“(Friemoth and Knudsen) came together as the season went along and played very well,” Lindow said. “They took their season as far as they could. I’m really proud of them.
“What an outstanding job (Schwall and Burke) did for being first-year players. They are athletes, and they gave everything they could every match. I could not have asked for more.”
