ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The Pirates went 2-1 the week of April 26, losing a Monday home match to Normandy and then winning non-conference matches abroad on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Rocky River (5-4) was swept in singles play by a talented Invaders team in a hard-fought 3-2 loss in Monday's match at Tri City Park. River got a lift from the doubles tandem of Jack Latham and Ben Greenfield, which battled back from a slow start to earn a victory in first doubles. Latham and Greenfield would go on to earn three wins for the week and are now 5-1 this spring.

The doubles duo of Will Latham and Joey Weixel won in straight sets as part of River winning both doubles matches and getting a Will Gesci victory in third singles in a 3-2 win at Elyria on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Pirates closed out their week (with a Thursday postponement due to inclement weather) by defeating Midview, 5-0. Drew Vergon earned a 6-0, 6-0 win in singles play, notching River's first double-bagel of the 2021 season. Gesci was impressive in winning his match at second singles. He averaged 2.0 service aces per game in running his season record to 4-5.

"We continue to grow and improve as a team," said head coach Scott Raiff. "Both singles and doubles players are demonstrating better mental toughness and competitiveness and winning more big points during their matches. Our JVs have also been playing well and winning their matches. Colin Kelly, Gus Fritz, Rein McKelway, and Charles Solecki have made amazing improvement throughout the season and are poised to be varsity contributors in the future."

River's varsity squad heads into the month of May on a roll: the Pirates are 4-1 over their last five matches.


by Skip Snow

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