The Cambridge Bears Boys tennis team state championship run came to an end Wednesday evening, April 27th in Peachtree City as they fell to Starr's Mill in the quarterfinals of the state playoff in a 3-1 closeout.
In a match highlighted by high quality tennis all the way around, Cambridge's lone win came from the red hot play of Drew Fruehauf at 2 singles with a two set win. Ryan Edmiston fell in 2 sets to a very consistent player at 3 singles. Both doubles teams, who were previously unbeaten this year in Georgia High school match play, lost tough matches.
The 1 doubles team of Zac Hirschler & Joey Ladaga lost in 2 very close sets to a very good serve and volleying duo. The team could not capitalize on a late 2 set lead to get to the third set. At 2 doubles, Kez Fitzgerald and Jason Weiner also lost in two sets. The pair had an early first set lead and the two teams battled back and forth to get to a 1st set tie breaker, but the Panther's closed a little better and went on to win the 2nd set.
Carson Harrell at 1 singles saved some of his best tennis against an opponent he has played before. After going down 1-4 in the first, Carson battled back but eventually lost a close first set 4-6. It was a tight 2nd set as well but Starr's Mill closed out the victory before the 1 singles conclusion. Coach Feldman commented " the boys played great but they (Starr's Mills ) were a better team today".
The loss ends a very good season for the Bears and was the last high school match for 4 year starters Carson Harrell, Zac Hirschler and Kez Fitzgerald. Coach Feldman also announced that he would not be returning to coach for a 5th season in order to devote more time to his family and new work assignment. Coach Feldman and the entire Bears tennis program have done an excellent job of establishing Cambridge as a strong tennis program and as well a reputation for good sportsmanship. While Coach Feldman will surely be missed, the future of the Boys tennis program will continue to shine brightly with 7 talented underclassman on the team of 10, including Drew "Red Hot" Fruehauf, Joey Ladaga, Jason Weiner, Ryan Edmiston, Josh Wills, Grayson Marler, and Yarik Apolkov.
Go '17 Bears!
