ORANGE DOMINATES AT DISTRICTS
AKRON, OH- Orange tennis teams have been making waves, and this year’s D2 Akron district tournament was no exception. For the third time in four years, the doubles final featured an all-Orange showdown, and for the third straight year, the singles champ was also a Lion.
The Lions have a history of strong doubles teams, and this year was no different with senior co-captains Ace Bloom and Gabi Kalir leading the charge. But the real surprise came from juniors Adam Saab and Gabe Guiler, who took an unconventional path to the title match.
Saab, who splits his time with the varsity soccer team, has been a standout on the ‘B’ tennis squad until this season. His transition to a starter, alongside Guiler, has been nothing short of impressive. They battled top-ranked opponents like the Hawken duo of Piazza and Snyder, and the University School pair of Kirchick and Weidenbecher. Their win against US was particularly thrilling, as they rallied from a 4-6, 1-4 deficit to clinch a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory. Although they lost the final to their teammates, both Orange doubles teams are poised for favorable draws in next week’s state tournament at the College of Wooster.
Senior co-captain Chika Nwaozuzu continued his dominant season, clinching the district singles title with wins over Heartland Christian’s Cooper Grim and University School’s top player Dean Kirchick. Nwaozuzu, along with the two doubles teams, will represent Orange at the state tournament on Thursday and Friday at the College of Wooster tennis center at 9 am.
