The Carson High boys tennis team likely cleared the path on Tuesday for a showdown with Reno High, but Senator coach Pat Houlihan doesn't want to look that far ahead. At least he's trying not to.
In its first real test of the year, Carson was more than up to the challenge in a 13-5 win over South Tahoe on Tuesday at the CHS courts. The win likely paved the way for a showdown at Reno for the Sierra League title a week from Thursday, but Houlihan wants to take care of business first.
"Reno is the perennial champs," Houlihan said. "We want to be competitive. They're in the back of my mind.
"But let's take the next match first. It would be quite a showdown, wouldn't it. But we've got quite a ways to go."
Carson was strong again in doubles against Tahoe with the No. 1 team of Bryt Lewis and Brad Cobler putting in a dominant performance, winning 6-1, 6-1, 6-0. But also impressive in doubles were Nick Smallman and Jordan Rogers who won 6-0, 6-0 6-4 and James Pelz and Nathaniel Hamer who won 6-2, 6-3 and suffered a close 5-7 loss. "We play a lot of doubles," Houlihan said. "There's not a lot of dropoff."
Three of Tahoe's wins came from one of Northern Nevada's top players, Jimmy Roberts. "No one's touching their No. 1," Houlihan said.
In singles, Jeff Van Epps won 6-0, 6-1. "I'm real pleased with Van Epps," Houlihan said.
Spencer Brinson also won 6-0, 6-3 and Ben Henningsen came through with a key 7-6 (7-2) in the first round that gave Carson a 5-1 lead after the first round.
"I felt very comfortable after that round because I knew it was going to be a tough match," Houlihan said.
"I'm pleased with the kids. The kids have a good vision of just improving and playing better. I'm just proud of all the kids. We've got good leadership."
In other matches for Carson, Gordon Lee and Jordan Miller won 6-4, Alex Wing and Ian Gentner won 6-2 and Rick Nguyen and Spencer Trapp won 6-1 in doubles and Tyler Wing won 6-3 in singles.
SOUTH TAHOE 11, CARSON 7
Carson was respectable at South Tahoe against a team that has played on even terms with Northern Nevada's top two programs. South Tahoe has beaten Galena 11-7 and lost to Reno 10-8.
Carson couldn't overcome a 5-1 deficit after the first round. "We could have come back and tied it, but it just didn't happen," Carson coach Diane Baker Roberts said. "The first round didn't help us."
Highlights for Carson included Elyse Hansen's 6-4 win in which she came back from a 1-3 deficit. Meagan Carter and Sarah Asp also came back for a 6-3 win in doubles.
Also for Carson, Lisa Midboe won 6-3, Elizabeth Gohr won 6-1, Tiffany Moore won 6-1 and Alyssa Corda won 6-0 in singles and Emily Wang and Kristen Charles won 6-3 in doubles. Kristin Howard and Elizabeth Linn in singles and Meredith Hutchins and Jessica Howell, Jill Stroup and Elizabeth Linn, Brittany Allen and Emily Linnell and Carrie Linn and Alejandra Melgarejo all played well in exhibition matches for Carson.