Panther Netters Fall to Rockwood Summit

Mehlville senior Jeremy Sellmeyer admits that he was a bit relieved to find out Rockwood Summit's standout tennis player Dylan Steffens was going to miss Tuesday's match against the Panthers.

Steffens, who had beaten Sellmeyer earlier in the season at the Webster Tournament, was competing in the prestigious Easter Bowl Tournament in California.

"I heard a rumor that he was playing in a big national tournament," Sellmeyer said. "I was kind of glad when I found out because I needed to come out and get a win today after losing yesterday."

Sellmeyer lost to Ladue's Adam Kopp in straight sets Monday. It was his only other loss in addition to the one against Steffens.

Summit senior Ankit Gupta had to move up to No. 1 singles and he proved to be little challenge to Sellmeyer, who won 6-1, 6-1. The Falcons did go on to win the match, 5-2 as they swept the three doubles matches.

The win improves Sellmeyer's record to 5-2 which is quite an accomplishment for a player who does not compete year-round and who moved from the No. 2 spot in the order to No. 1 when Brett Sorum graduated.

"I thought the transition was going to be tough and I really didn't think I would have a winning record at this point in the season," said Sellmeyer, who played No. 3 singles as a sophomore. "I am playing far more experienced players but I feel I am learning a lot. I think it has been good for me because I realize that I have to raise my level of play to compete at No. 1 singles."

"I got down on myself after the match yesterday and this was a good chance to bounce back and recover from a poor outing. I played a lot better today. I pushed the pace and was much more aggressive. I have had a bad habit of playing to the level of my opponent but I was real happy with the way I played today."

Sellmeyer is looking forward to the rest of his final high school season.

"I want to continue to learn and obviously would love to continue to win as well," he said. "Last year I was out before day two in districts and I would like to do better than that this season. I just want to go out there and give it my all and see what happens."

The Panthers split the four singles matches against the Falcons as senior Stephen Burger won his match over William Adams 2-6, 7-6 (10-6).

Rockwood Summit won at No. 2 and 3 singles as Zachary Huels beat Blake Penberthy 6-3, 6-2 at No. 2 while Brett Helbig defeated Chris Becherer 6-3, 6-0 at No. 3.

The Falcons dominated the three doubles matches. Jonathan Douglas and Micholas Hogrebe beat Jacob Vantrease and Tony Dees, 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles.

Andrew Toepfer and Jacob Jenkins beat Robert Sieckhaus and Almir Sefic 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 and Marc Kuessner and Mark Fraser beat Luke Suntrup and Ben Omerovic by the same 6-0, 6-1 score at No. 3 doubles.

The loss dropped the Panthers to 2-4 for the season.