Bellmont and South Adams wasted no time in the 2024 season, opening their respective seasons on the first possible night on the courts in Decatur, with the Starfires coming away with a 4-1 victory.
The match was supposed to be played on home courts for the Stars, but their facility is currently awaiting a paint job. Coach Hyman noted that the team will likely have to move the next home match to Muncie Central while they await the new lines on the courts in Berne.
The new-look Starfire lineup handled the Bellmont Braves, who won just one match last year, fairly well on the opening night. Cole Hyman struggled in the opening set at No. 1 singles and it appeared the Braves might be in line for a big upset, but Hyman shook those fears off and won the second and third sets love-love.
Bellmont played better in the second set at No. 2 and No. 3 singles with Layne LeMaster and James Miller, respectively, but both were beaten in straight sets by Kade Sprunger and Kane Sturwold.
The two schools split the doubles matches, with the team of Neuenschwanders, Gabe and Ian, winning in straight sets.
Raiden Knittle scored his first varsity win at No. 2 doubles with teammate Ben Mendoza, beating varsity newcomers Ben Dubach and Alex Stutzman handily.
South Adams 4 Bellmont 1
No. 1-Cole Hyman (SA) d. Hayden Huss, 2-6, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2-Kade Sprunger (SA) d. Layne LeMaster, 6-2, 7-5
No. 3-Kane Sturwold (SA) d. James Miller, 6-1, 6-4
No. 1-Gabe Neuenschwander/Ian Neuenschwander (SA) d. Larry Knous/Kaden Ramsey, 6-3, 6-4
No. 2-Ben Mendoza/Raiden Knittle (B) d. Ben Dubach/Alex Stutzman, 6-0, 6-2
Junior Varsity Matches
Isaiah Conrad/Griffin Hill (SA) d. Kasey Teeter/Connor Solomon, 8-6
Eli Habegger (SA) d. Kasey Teeter, 8-5
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