On Tuesday September 23, 2022, the Lincoln East varsity boys tennis team buckled up for a triangular at Woods Tennis Center. The matchup against Millard North and McCook, started at four p.m. The Spartans are currently undefeated this season following their state championship last year, and are working towards competing in the state tournament this season as well.

From start to finish, East was in control of the courts. The team won every single one of their matches. Including Joshua Stock, a senior, who won #3 doubles with his partner Cole Mickells. In their match, Stock hit the ball with an overhead swing, causing it to smash down onto the other side of the net and fly into the air.

“My highlight of today has definitely got to be that overhead over the fence,” Stock said. “It was so far out that it was unreturnable.” The “home run” of tennis aided the pair in their victory over McCook.

The success continued with duo sophomore Caden Haar and senior Kirby Le who finished with a #1 doubles score of 8-1. Though won by a majority, the match was not easy. Halfway through the final game Le collapsed on the ground holding a cramping calf. Help rushed onto the court to resolve the issue and just a few minutes later Le was up and playing just as he was before.

This incredible perseverance is not only present in competition, it is the players main focus as the season progresses. As the team continues to work through the season, they are putting in hard work and staying persistent in their efforts to defend their state title.

“We just have to keep the mindset that we have a lot more of the season to go,” Haar said. “We have to stay humble and work hard.”

Final Scores

#1 Singles – Hunter Nelson – 8-0, 8-0

#2 Singles – Samarth Sajeesh – 8-0, 8-2

#3 Singles – Yakub Islamov – 8-3, 8-3

#1 Doubles – Caden Haar + Kirby Le – 8-1, 8-1

#2 Doubles – Joe Bucknell + Kayden Le – 8-2, 8-2

#3 Doubles – Joshua Stock + Cole Mickells – 8-1, 8-4