Indians roll past depleted Boulder

Jay Patel celebrated his 17th birthday with his Cheyenne Mountain teammates as the Indians drubbed Boulder 7-0 without losing a set Wednesday.

Patel, the Indians’ No. 3 singles player, remained unbeaten for the season with his 6-2, 6-0 victory at the Cheyenne Mountain courts.

“I’m playing the best I’ve ever played, probably,” said Patel, who competed at No. 1 doubles last season. “My game has matured and I’m being more aggressive this year. It’s pretty fun and I’m satisfied. It felt good to win on my birthday.”

The Indians, who are unbeaten in eight dual matches, have won the past two state 4A tournaments and 13 of the past 15. The state tournament is Oct. 11-13 in Pueblo.

“I was pleased with our guys and the way they kept their focus,” said Indians coach Dave Adams. “It’s important to play at a high level with state coming up and they did that.”

Boulder, normally a strong 5A team, lacks experience after its top player transferred and the second-best singles player had shoulder surgery because of a baseball injury. Boulder, coached for the seventh year by former Senior Davis Cup member Gale Howard, didn’t win more than three games in any set.

Justin Hermes prevailed 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1 singles and defending state champion Brad Young won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2. They are seniors, as is Patel.

“Jay is playing solid,” Adams said. “He only lost one game in four matches last week at the Pueblo tournament. He’s on a mission. He wants to win the team thing (at state) but he wants an individual title, too.”

Junior John Adams and freshman Jon Moore won 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1 doubles while juniors Michael Cutter and Ari Halling cruised 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2. Junior Kevin Lynch and freshman Matt Bowser won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 3 doubles and senior Andrew Odlin and junior Matt Shoemaker prevailed 6-0, 6-1 at No. 4.

“We could be even better as a team than last year,” Cutter said. “We’re a lot deeper as a team and our freshman are really good. ”

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