By Brittany Llorente
VERO BEACH - The Jensen Beach High School boys tennis team delivered the first loss to the Saint Edwards boys 4-3 last Thursday at Saint Edwards' home courts at Riverside Park.
The first positions for Saint Edward's won over the Jensen Beach top spots.
Josh Kane, Saint Edward's No. 1 player, faced a tough match against Jensen Beach's Joseph Wigley.
Kane kept Wigley to the corners, which would usually crumble the form of most players, but Wigley used his speed to combat and return the ball.
The returns were a little easier for Kane, who was concentrated on the center. He was able to return back to the corners. During his serves, Kane would all but shut out the match.
"This was a good match and he gave me a lot of short balls," said Kane. "I just like to keep to the corners and make sure the other player is always on the run."
Both players had tremendous form, rarely breaking, even when diving into the corners to keep the ball in play.
The plays were calculated, especially from Wigley, who had to return from a difficult position, sometimes coming up past the base and volleying the ball for the point.
"I played well and this was a tough match," said Wigley. "This is a learning experience. This was a lot of foot work and timing."
Kane used the same tactic, more often, which lent to a lot of Kanes' points, each one hard fought after consistent rallies.
Jensen Beach will play at home at 3:30 p.m. against Suncoast High School. March 3.
JBHS boy's tennis Defeated Saint Ed's 4-3
No. 1 Josh Kane (Saint Ed's) def. Joey Wigley (JB) 6-0, 6-1
No. 2 Sean Carrick (Saint Ed's) def. Jack Stoelting (JB) 6-0, 6-0
No. 3 Brandon Armstrong (JB) def. Nick Duncan (Saint Ed's) 6-4, 6-4
No. 4 Alec Ellis (JB) def. Oliver Wilkey 6-4, 6-1
No. 5 Michael Langer (JB) def. Ryan Smith 6-4, 6-1
Doubles
No.1 Kane/Carrick (Saint Ed's) def. Wigley/Stoelting (JB) 8-3
No. 2 Armstrong/Langer (JB) def. Duncan/Wilkey (Saint Ed's) 8-2