On a hot day at Centennial courts, the Greeley West No. 2 doubles team of Champ Segura and Hunter Clark found a little extra, rallying to defeat their opponents from Centaurus 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that lasted two hours and 20 minutes. It was one of the few bright spots for the Spartans, who dropped the dual match 5-2 Thursday afternoon.
Segura and Clark’s match point epitomized the grueling day of play for all the athletes. Segura and Clark had six opportunities to win the match, before finally breaking the Warriors’ team who were equally drained.
“We always have to think the game is zero-zero, you have to think you’re not down… you just have to keep going,” Segura said.
Segura and Clark credited coach Ryan Pace and his conditioning for their performance on the unseasonably hot day. But it was also their ability to respond to adversity in having their serve broken multiple times.
“I think the mental thing. You have to stay positive. You get down a point and you have to shake it off and get back after it,” Clark said.
The Spartans enjoyed playing from behind. Clark said it gave them a little extra on a tough day to play. “It’s more of a motivation to be behind. You have that drive. You’re a little mad and you get going,” Clark said.
Long rallies and grueling points aside, the duo was confident in each other and its play, regularly complimenting each other on shots and lifting each other after tough points.
Tomorrow, West hosts the Greeley West Invitational at multiple sites across Greeley. Segura and Clark hope their training pays off with multiple matches during the next two days. Segura smiled, wiping sweat from his brow when he announced his goal: “Take it all; get back after it again tomorrow.”
No. 1 Singles - Carter Huntercrump (CHS) def. Ashtyn Denovellis (GWHS) 7-6, 4-6, 6-3
No. 2 Singles - Alex Dhupar (GWHS) def. Dexy Payne (CHS) 6-1, 6-3
No. 3 Singles - Cole Spradkin (CHS) def. Cole Bartels (GWHS), 6-2, 6-2
No. 1 Doubles - Ty Stroud/Julian Piccolini (CHS) def Eli Torrez/Mateo Vasquez (GWHS) 6-4, 6-4
No. 2 Doubles - Hunter Clark/Champ Segura (GWHS) def. Jack Mannins/James Chinney (CHS) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 Doubles - Evan Santmayer/Dylan Kalish (CHS) def. Theo Hirsh/Eddie Hart, 7-5, 6-2
No. 4 Doubles - Braden Keller/Stephan Zaleany (CHS) def. River Ortiz/Canada Po, 7-5, 6-4
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