Grinnell edges Newton boys in non-conference tennis matchup

GRINNELL — A heartbreaking three-set loss at No. 1 doubles ended up being one of the deciding matches in the Newton boys tennis team’s narrow defeat against Grinnell on Monday.

The Cardinals and Tigers were tied at 3-all after singles, but Grinnell won three of the five doubles matches and claimed a 6-5 non-conference home win.

“Grinnell beat us 11-0 last year so we are competing so much better this season,” Newton head boys tennis coach Jared Gerber said. “The loss at No. 1 doubles was tough, but they’ll rebound and use this to propel them forward.”

Ethan Valtman and Evan Marshall both won their matches in No. 1 and No. 2 singles before teaming up in doubles.

The Cardinal duo lost their No. 1 doubles match in three sets and the final set was 16-14.

Valtman dropped his first set 6-1 to Grinnell’s Trent Turba before rallying for a 6-2, 10-6 win at No. 1 singles. Turba was a state qualifier last season.

Marshall won his No. 2 singles match 6-4, 6-0 and Harrison Oswalt claimed a 6-3, 6-4 victory at No. 3 singles. Ezra Bartell lost his No. 5 singles match in three sets.

“Evan and Harry played great matches and were able to pull out some tough wins for us,” Gerber said.

Seth Adams and Ethan Freese scored a 6-4, 6-0 win at No. 4 doubles and Brady Swihart and Stone Lillard won their No. 5 doubles match 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.

Newton dropped to 2-2 on the season, while Grinnell improved to 3-4.

“It was a great match overall,” Gerber said. “Our No. 4 and No. 5 doubles teams stepped up to the challenge and pulled away from their opponents in the second set.”