WIAA State Tennis: Winston-Lopez Make Semis, U-School Advances Three

Nicolet prides itself on its skills in doubles.

That why it was hardly a surprise when the Knights’ top two pairings advanced to the quarterfinals of the WIAA Division 1 state individual tennis tournament Friday at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison.

However, the duo that remained alive for Saturday’s semifinal competition was a bit of a shocker.  Seeded eighth in Division 1, the Knights’ second team of David Winston and Jon Lopez upset the top-seed Michael Roden and Matt Reagan of Eau Claire Memorial, 6-3, 0-6, 7-6 (5). They'll play Brookfield Central's Kevin Schmidt and Andrew Denu at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

“Playing three sets has been their game all season,” Nicolet coach Tim Koppa said. “But with this being Dave and Jon’s first trip to state, they have nothing to lose and are playing above their seed.”

Playing under the shadow of seniors Richard Kim and Trevor Katzban, Winston and Lopez lacked the confidence needed for long tournament run prior to their trip Madison.  But after three straight victories in Friday’s competition, that self-doubt has left the building even if the overwhelming heat did not.

“Getting the first two matches today really helped out a lot,” Winston said.  “We got by and got our nerves out so we could just play.”

Winston and Lopez needed three sets to knock out seniors Dan Mackett and Cal Hilkert of Brookfield East to start their competition.  But the duo found a groove in the afternoon, coasting 6-1, 6-3, past Peter Apfelbach and Ben Wilson of Homestead.

“In doubles things can turn around quickly so it’s important once you get momentum to stick with it,” Lopez said.  “We really stayed positive, confident and didn’t give away points.”

With a victory over Roden and Reagan an all-Nicolet doubles semifinal seemed possible with Kim and Katzban also in the quarterfinals.  But the Knights’ top pair fell 6-2, 6-4, to fourth-seeded Andrew Denu and Kevin Schmidt of Brookfield Central.

“It would have been strange to play our teammates,” Lopez said.

Kim and Katzban eliminated T.J. Jungbluth and Alex Rentzepis of Eau Claire Memorial (6-2, 3-6, 6-2) and Green Bay Preble’s Connor Dougherty and John Vandenhouten (6-2, 6-4) before falling to Denu and Schmidt.

In Division 2, top-seeded singles senior Andrew Hwang of University School advanced to Saturday’s semifinals, but survived a scare in the quarters.  Hwang needed three sets to knock off Green Bay Notre Dame sophomore Scott Wall, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0.

Hwang’s teammate Sam Walker is also in the semis after beating Madison Edgewood senior Austin Papenthien in straight sets (6-1, 6-4).  The Wildcats’ Rishi Karri’s trip to Madison ended in just two rounds as the senior was upset by Danny Alonte of Saint Francis.

USM also had a doubles team reach the semifinals as Ty Parks and Brent Mackman gave Nate Clawerts and Nick Del Moral of Notre Dame their first loss of the year, 6-1, 6-1.  However, the Wildcats pair of Topher McGee and Andrew Stewart fell to the Tritons’ Andrew Zimmerman and Ryan Kropp 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.