Tigers get nice tune-up

Crystal Lake Central's Tommy Nelson returns a serve against Maclej Niemczyk of Fremd on Saturday during the No. 1 singles match at the Crystal Lake Central Invitational. Nelson lost, 6-2, 6-1. (Amanda Schwengel – aschwengel@nwherald.com)

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CRYSTAL LAKE – Crystal Lake Central got some good preparation for upcoming postseason tournaments, taking fourth place and putting its top two singles players in championship matches at the Tigers’ boys tennis invitational Saturday.

Central’s Tommy Nelson lost to Fremd’s Maclej Niemczyk, 6-2, 6-1, in the No. 1 singles title match. The match was closer than the score showed, with extended rallies and long games.

“Tommy had a great match, but if you looked at the scores you wouldn’t think so,” Tigers coach Kerry Parrish said.

Niemczyk’s ability to hit powerful forehand winners was the difference in the match.

“There were a lot of close games,” Nelson said. “[Niemczyk] ended up hitting some really good shots to end them.”

Nelson said his play this season has been hot and cold and needs some fine-tuning. He is confident, though, heading into the Fox Valley Conference Meet beginning Friday and the state series a week later.

“I need to work on my volleys. My net game needs improvement,” Nelson said.

At No. 2 singles, the Tigers’ Tyler George lost to Fremd’s Ryosuke Miyawaki, 6-3, 6-1, in the championship.

Miyawaki was familiar competition for George, as the two have faced each other in offseason tournaments. George said his strategy going into the match was to be aggressive when he could and play good defense.

George has been on an impressive run of late and is confident heading into the postseason.

“I just came off an 11-match winning streak,” George said. “That’s pretty good going into conference.”

With players from York, Wauconda and Libertyville in attendance Saturday, Prairie Ridge and Central got to see competition outside the FVC at the seven-team invitational.

“It’s nice to know who you’re up against, but it can also be a hindrance,” Parrish said.

Parrish said this type of tournament with multiple matches against unfamiliar and tough opponents was great preparation for what’s ahead. It especially helps with the mental side of the game.

“That mental prep is so important,” she said. “Tournaments like this are where you get that mental preparation.”

At No. 4 doubles, the Wolves’ John Andress and Ryan Altman finished second.

Fremd swept every individual championship and won the team title with 56 points. Libertyville was second (40) and York was third (39). Crystal Lake Central finished fourth with 37 points, and Prairie Ridge had 30 for fifth place.