High school tennis: Highland's Elijah Hadler stays hot with sectional win

AKRON — There was only one service break in the third set of the Akron Division I Sectional boys tennis championship. It occurred at the perfect time for Highland sophomore Elijah Hadler. No. 1 seed Hadler broke the serve of No. 2 seed Merit Wagstaff of Revere in the 10th game of the final set, allowing him to win his initial sectional title with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 triumph on Saturday and remain undefeated in 23 career singles matches. "It was a lot of fun coaching that match — stressful but fun," Hornets coach Lisa Reynolds said. "That was seriously high-level tennis." Hadler also defeated Wagstaff in the Suburban League American Conference Tournament first singles final and in a regular-season contest, but the third match in their trilogy was the most intense and competitive. "Merit and I are great friends who have known each other for years," Hadler said. "It's always fun playing such a great player, but also a sportsman, in these matches where we are fighting for each and every point. "I had to remind myself to stay in the moment, knowing whoever wins the first games or even the first set didn't matter. It was about the whole match." Hadler blanked No. 4 seed Brian Nesic of Twinsburg in the semifinals 6-0, 6-0, while fellow sophomore Wagstaff beat No. 3 seed Michael Ulrich of Walsh Jesuit 7-5, 6-3 on the opposite side of the bracket. All four players advanced to the Akron District, which takes place Thursday and Saturday, also at Springside Athletic Club. Six of the 16 district qualifiers will qualify for the state tournament in Mason, where Hadler and Wagstaff could continue their friendly rivalry in two weeks. "It was a very up-and-down match with momentum swings throughout," Hadler said of the sectional final. "Maintaining my focus was crucial to being able to withstand his runs when he had them. Whenever I was in the lead, like in the second set, I had to remember that I had to keep up my intensity." Hadler will open district play against Massillon Jackson junior Denil Joseph, who placed fourth at the Canton Sectional. Mayfield senior Yukun Wang or Westlake senior Rahul Jain would await in the quarterfinals. Cloverleaf junior Joe Donnelly, who finished third at the College of Wooster Division II Sectional, will compete Friday at the Akron District. The top four D-II placers will move on to state. Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on Twitter.