Glenvar boys fall to familiar foe in Group A tennis state final

RADFORD — Glenvar and George Mason are no strangers when it comes to the Group A state tournament, having met in each of the last three years, and in the final for the second year in a row.

Unfortunately for the Highlanders, the result has remained the same as George Mason’s 5-0 win clinched the program’s fourth consecutive state title.

But Glenvar coach Mark Rohrback feels that there is no reason for his team to hang their heads.

“I’m just proud of the guys,” Rohrback said. “The fact that we’ve been able to overcome the loss of a number of seniors each year and are in the state tournament three years in a row, two years now as runners-up to an incredible program in George Mason, you can’t say enough about the work ethic and how the guys push each other.”

Tommy Weber defeated Igor Panjovic, 6-0, 6-1 in the No. 1 singles and Jacob Morris downed Colton Walls, 6-1, 6-2 at the second court. Nate Jones bested Alex Dunkenberger , 6-0, 6-3 and Jakob Karstens defeated Nick Peters, 6-2, 6-1. Jacob Field’s 6-3, 6-2 win over Bryce Mallette clinched the title for the Mustangs.

“We played a really good team; they deserved every bit of it,” the senior Walls said. “We worked our butts off all season, so I’m not disappointed with my team one bit.”

“When it comes down to winning games, but the Mason guys did a better job of putting away games than we did,” Rohrback said. “That’s what tennis is about, taking advantages of opportunities. The Mason guys are very experienced, and they do that better than anybody in the state and that’s why they’re multi-time state champions.”

George Mason coach Matt Sowers spoke highly of his team, which has three seniors with a combined 180 career wins.

“It’s special,” Sowers said. “It means a lot for me to watch our freshman that are now seniors go through the process. For Tommy Weber, especially, a fourth-year starter at the state level and he’s been a part of four state championships and I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Sowers also gave credit to the Glenvar squad.

“There’s high competition that’s out here and some of the greatest sportsmanship you’ll see,” Sowers said. “Everything was left on the court.”

Glenvar finished the season at 17-3, and George Mason finished with a 17-1 mark.

Singles

Tommy Weber (GM) d. Igor Panjovic, 6-0, 6-1; Jacob Morris (GM) d. Colton Walls, 6-1, 6-2; Nate Jones (GM) d. Alex Dunkenberger, 6-0, 6-3; Tyler Dishner (G) vs. Santiago Villalon, 2-6, 6-2, 1-5 DNF; Jakob Karstens (GM) d. Nick Peters, 6-2, 6-1; Jacob Field (GM) d. Bryce Mallette, 6-3, 6-2.

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