Photos and story by Cort Reynolds
ADA - The Ada tennis team avenged a 2018 tournament defeat by beating Clyde 3-1 in round two of the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association tournament Wednesday at the Ohio Northern University courts.
Clyde edged Ada 3-2 last year in the same regional quarterfinal round of the OTCA event. The victory gave the Bulldogs their first-ever berth in the OTCA sweet 16/regional semifinal round.
The Bulldogs improved to 14-4 with the victory, and advance to the Div. II northwest region semis at Ottawa Hills next week at a date TBA. Clyde dropped to 14-3 with the defeat.
Ada won all three singles matches in straight sets over Clyde to seize the victory. Senior Cade Mullins won at first singles after rallying to win the first set in a tiebreaker, 7-4.
Meanwhile, junior Isaac Spar took second singles and sophomore Miranda Wills was victorious at third singles more easily in straight sets.
All three players reached the 18-win plateau in singles this season with their victories.
Clyde won the first doubles match, and the second doubles match with Bulldogs Morgan Swick and Dexter Woods was stopped in the third set when Mullins won at first singles to clinch the overall outcome, 3-1.
"What an amazing day to be an Ada Bulldog," enthused head coach Cody Hurley. "My kids were fearless today, and it showed in their performance. They have worked so hard to achieve this accomplishment and I am blessed to have the opportunity to be their coach.
"It was one of our goals to reach the sweet 16 and we've done it. Miranda started the day strong winning her match in under 30 minutes. She is playing at a very high level right now.
"Isaac then secured our second win of the day with a strong performance at second singles to put us up 2-1 after first doubles lost a tough battle against a good team.
"Cade sealed the deal with a fantastic win over a quality opponent from France," he added.
Ada 3, Clyde 1
Singles:
1. Cade Mullins (A) def. Alex Caillet (C) 7-6 (4), 6-1
2. Isaac Spar (A) def. Daniel Stevens (C) 6-1, 6-3
3. Miranda Wills (A) def. Sam Borden (C) 6-0, 6-0
Doubles:
1D. James Dry/Jacob Strudthoff (C) def. Reece Evan/Hunter Wells (A) 6-0, 6-3
2D. Morgan Swick/Dexter Woods (A) trailed David Hohenstein/Logan Nicely (C) 6-3, 2-6, 2-3 when match halted
"Now we advance on to take on Ottawa Hills in a rematch from earlier this season to decide who will advance to the (OTCA) elite eight," said Hurley.
"What an exciting time to be an Ada Bulldog," he continued. "Everyone in the community should be incredibly proud of their accomplishments. Hopefully, we can carry the momentum into the OHSAA sectional tournament, and then turn our focus on Ottawa Hills next week."
Ada competes in the UNOH sectional Div. II tournament in Lima this Thursday and Saturday.
Mullins was seeded first at the Div. II singles sectionals slated for May 9/11 at UNOH in Lima. As top seed, he received a first round bye in the 33-player field.
Spar was seeded fourth and will play Riley Fricke of Elida in round one. Wills faces Kenny Lovett of Bluffton in her first round match. If she advances, she would likely play second seed Tyler Christoff of Elida in round two.
Players must advance three rounds to at least the semifinals at sectionals to qualify for the Bowling Green district.
