Howatt, Streaks hold off Huntley

Woodstock's Brian Howatt returns a shot during the No. 1 singles match against Huntley's Tanner Novalinski on Thursday at Emricson Park in Woodstock. (Travis Haughton -thaughton@nwherald.com)

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WOODSTOCK – Woodstock and Huntley entered Thursday’s boys tennis dual meet with 1-10 records in the Fox Valley Conference.

Despite winning only two of the five matches that went to three sets, the host Blue Streaks (3-11, 2-10 FVC) came away with their second conference win, 4-3.

Brian Howatt at No. 1 singles got one of Woodstock’s three-set wins, defeating Tanner Novalinski, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4).

Howatt said he did not play well in the middle of the match.

“I hit a cold streak in the second set,” Howatt said. “The third set was kind of just surviving.”

The momentum seemed to shift toward Novalinski with Howatt serving in the third set up, 4-3. Down, 30-40, Howatt hit a hard first serve that Novalinski was only able to return with a short lob at the net. Howatt hit an overhead, but Novalinski returned a passing shot down the line for a winner.

Howatt said Woodstock coach Steve Bridges has stressed to him that a short memory is a good quality in those situations.

“Coach tells us if a bad thing happens to forget about it or it will affect you the rest of the match,” Howatt said.

At No. 1 doubles, Woodstock’s Bryce Webster and Ben Haager defeated Brendan Bozic and Ian Stellmach, 6-3, 6-4.

Webster said the difference in the match was their ability to play conservatively and consistently.

“We just made smarter shots,” Webster said. “We didn’t try doing too much like we have sometimes this year.”

Haager and Webster were also able to win the battle of the net with consistent volley winners.

“When we can put the ball away [at the net], that’s when we have a lot of success,” Webster said.

One of the Blue Streaks’ team goals was to have a winning record in close matches.  Bridges said not attaining that goal has impacted the team’s success.

“We have a hard time winning matches when we’re ahead,” Bridges said. “We can’t put people away.”

Huntley coach Barry Wells said he has seen a lot of development in his team. The Red Raiders (8-12, 1-11) have won four of their past six matches.

“We’ve made huge progress,” Wells said. “We’ve definitely come together and improved.”

One of the bright spots has been the improvement of Novalinski, a sophomore, who played third and fourth doubles last year on the frosh/soph. team. Wells said moving up to No. 1 singles on the varsity was a huge jump and a learning experience for Novalinski.

“[Novalinski] can hit shots that make you say, ‘wow’, sometimes,” Wells said. “We just have to get the consistency part.”