Deerfield duo nets impressive win

Glenbrook South's Michael Moore pounds the ball in singles action at the Deerfield-Lake Forest Invitational on Friday. Moore beat New Trier's Robert Stineman in the title match.
(Brian Valentin/Staff Photographer)

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BOYS TENNIS-- Two years ago, Sam Gnesin was buried deep on the frosh-soph team.

On Saturday, the Deerfield High School junior collected some big wins as part of the varsity No. 1 doubles team with veteran Matt Lieberman.

Click to enlarge image

Warren's Eric Teeman goes with his backhand during singles play at the tough Deerfield Invitational last weekend.
(Brian Valentin/Staff Photographer)

Lieberman and Gnesin finished 5-6 at No. 1-2 doubles in the Deerfield Invitational (the fifth-place match was not played). The final match was impressive, as the duo dismantled Highland Park's Zach Brint and Danny Wynbrandt 6-0, 6-1.

"We're both very aggressive. If we get our first serves in and hit our returns, we're one of the top teams (in the state)," Lieberman said.

"If we get on a roll, we don't stop," Gnesin said.

The Warriors' pair had a trial run early in the season, but Gnesin's tough day prompted coach Josh Leighton to slide him down to No. 2 doubles. But the pair were reunited two weeks ago and have no intention of going back.

"Matt has a lefty kick serve, which is the best serve to have," Gnesin said. "That is when I come in and put balls away."

The transformation of Gnesin is worthy of a fiction novel.

"Freshman year, I was 18th out of 20 players. Sophomore year, I played third doubles on the JV team," Gnesin recalled.

"I knew your name," Lieberman interjected. "I don't think I saw you play until sophomore year."

After the tournament ended, the pair wanted another shot at New Trier's No. 2 team. The Warriors were topped 6-2, 6-4 in the second round on Friday.

"If we would've played (Friday) like we did (Saturday), it would've been a better match," Gnesin said.

Leighton was impressed by the effort of his top doubles team.

"They beat Lake Forest (Conor Kester/Grant Gordon) in three sets in the opening round," Leighton noted. "That was a good win. They played well against New Trier. Had they made a few less mistakes, it might have gone three sets."

As Lieberman and Gnesin approach the postseason, Leighton wants them to keep it simple.

"They have to make sure they consistently hit their volleys and overheads," the coach said. "We can do the complicated things well, but we also have to do the basics well."

Solid Singles: The Warriors placed fourth in the eight-team event with 35 points. The club got a solid lift from singles players Ben Shklyar and Jason Brown, as both finished 7-8 in 1-2 singles.

The other contributors in 3-4 doubles were Josh Kolof/Brian Felder (5th-6th place) and Josh Sylvan/Michael Abosch (9th-10th place).

Big Week: After facing Highland Park in a key CSL North dual, the Warriors will take part in the CSL North Tournament at Niles North during the weekend.