By Cort Reynolds
The Ada tennis team defeated visiting Upper Sandusky 4-1 Monday evening at the Ohio Northern University courts in the 2019 home regular season finale.
The Bulldogs improved to 13-4 with the victory, while US fell to 10-4 with the loss.
Ace Cade Mullins celebrated Senior Day with a 7-5, 6-0 win at first singles to record his 17th win of the season.
Junior Isaac Spar and sophomore Miranda Wills also each reached the 17-win plateau with straight-set wins at seond and third singles, respectively.
"We celebrated a great win over a great Upper Sandusky team on Senior Day," said Ada head coach Cody Hurley. "Upper came into this match with a 10-3 record so we knew they would give us a tough go, but we passed the test.
"Cade, Isaac, and Miranda continued their incredible seasons (with) each amassing 17 wins so far - with the potential for more wins over the next couple of weeks," he continued.
Senior Morgan Swick and freshman Dexter Woods teamed up to win at first doubles to provide the other Ada win.
"Dexter and Morgan continued to mesh well together, and Reece Evans stepped back into the starting line-up (at second doubles)after taking a break due to the school musical," said Hurley. "It was good to have him back."
Ada 4, Upper Sandusky 1
Singles:
1. Cade Mullins (A) def. Levi Malone (US) 7-5, 6-0
2. Isaac Spar (A) def. Landon Cotto-Ramos (US) 6-2, 6-3
3. Miranda Wills (A) def. Justin Blackburn (US) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles:
1D. Morgan Swick/Dexter Woods (A) def. Grant Bower/Anson Hill (US) 6-0, 6-4
2D. Nolan Mewhorter/Kyle Snowden (US) def. Reece Evans/Gabe Hasan (A) 6-3, 6-3
"Today, we set a new school record for most wins in a single season with 13, and we hope we can get a couple more as we are still alive in the OTCA tournament," said Hurley.
Ada hosts Clyde in the regional quarterfinals of the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association tournament at Ohio Northern Wednesday, May 8 at 4:30 p.m.
"Wednesday is a big day for us as we have a rematch with Clyde from last year's OTCA tournament, where the team fell 3-2 in a heartbreaker," Hurley noted.
"Even though I wasn't the coach there is still a sour taste from last year's loss, so we plan on coming into Wednesday with a chip on our shoulder with hopes to qualify for the (OTCA) Sweet 16 for the first time ever," he added.
If Ada wins it will likely set up a third round OTCA rematch at state-ranked power Ottawa Hills, which beat the Bulldogs 5-0 in April.
