Air Academy tennis team secures title/ Rampart's no match for Metro

Air Academy's boys tennis team eased past Rampart 6-1 on Thursday, claiming the Metro North title and spoiling a Rampart player's undefeated record.

Spectators' eyes were riveted on the match won by Mickey Strauch against host Rampart's unbeaten No. 2 singles player, Kevin Unks, 6- 4, 6-4, reversing last year's result.

Early in the match, Unks scored an ace and managed to keep his opponent away form the net. Strauch, however, came back strong, winning several rallies.

Strauch's tenacity included an impressive rush to the net, narrowly preventing the ball from bouncing twice and lobbing the ball out of his opponent's reach.

"I was really playing my game today," Strauch said, "and the other guy just didn't seem to be playing his best."

Rampart's No. 2 and 3 players' undefeated records may have been aided by the fact that Rampart has not yet played Cheyenne Mountain, last year's state champions, Strauch said.

Undaunted, Rampart's undefeated No. 3 player, Patrick Murphy, managed to defend his spotless record, securing his team's only point by beating Air Academy's Matt Murphey 5-7, 6-4, 6-1.

Air Academy coach Keith Welch attributed his team's victory to the strong rivalry that exists between the two teams.

"We played them a few times last year (Air Academy won the dual match 4-3), and we wanted to make a strong showing against them this year," he said.

Despite the loss, Rampart coach Diana Frederic was pleased with her team's effort and also believes the team was satisfied with its showing.

"I was hoping for a closer match," she said, "because I had kids going in with pretty good records."

Coinciding with Welch's opinion, Frederic also believes the rivalry between the two teams may have affected Rampart's effectiveness.

Frederic said: "Air Academy played with more confidence."

- Jonathan Clark may be reached at 636-0250 or gtsports@gazette.com

@CUTLINE: Rick Scibelli/The Gazette - BACK AT YOU: Rampart's Patrick Murphy returns a volley against Air Academy's Matt Murphey on Thursday. Murphy remained unbeaten with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 victory.

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