Newton boys drop conference dual to Norwalk

Ethan Valtman won two more matches, but the Newton boys tennis team fell 9-2 to Norwalk in their Little Hawkeye Conference opener on Tuesday.

The Warriors won all six singles matches in straight sets and improved their record to 2-1.

“There were some close matches,” Newton head boys tennis coach Jared Gerber said. “Closer than even some of the scores show. We weren’t able to win the big points, but we’ll keep working and getting better.”

Valtman defeated Braylon Stockwell 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 singles and then teamed up with Ethan Freese to rally past Stockwell and Tyler Stiegelmeier 0-6, 6-4, 10-8 at No. 1 doubles. It was the second straight come-from-behind, three-set win for Ethan squared.

“Ethan Valtman continues to play really well,” Gerber said. “Ethan Freese continues to step up in big ways. I’m proud of how those two fought back to win at No. 1 doubles.”

Valtman is now 2-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles this spring.

Norwalk controlled the other nine matches, but Freese lost 6-3, 6-4 at No. 4 singles and Damien Smith fell 6-1, 7-5 at No. 6 singles.

In doubles, Ezra Bartell and Kaden Marshall lost 6-2, 6-4 and Smith and Brady Swihart were defeated 7-5, 6-3.