Stevenson duo continue to roll

Updated: May 7, 2011 5:13PM

As the perfect season rolls on, David Packowitz and Ross Putterman are always searching for ways to improve.

The Stevenson duo improved to 19-0 at No. 1 doubles by claiming a championship Saturday in the Deerfield Invitational. Packowitz and Putterman finished off the title run at No. 1/No. 2 doubles with a 6-3, 6-2 decision over Deerfield’s Ben Shklyar and Alec Siegel.

The battle was on serve when the Patriots earned a break to go up 5-3. After serving out the set, Packowitz and Putterman collected two quick breaks in the second set to build a 3-0 lead they would never relinquish.

“We served well,” Packowitz noted. “On the big points, we played smart and calculated.”

Still, the pair is striving to raise their game even higher.

“We need to keep our level up at all times,” Putterman said.

“When we’re ahead at the start of a match, we tend to let off the gas pedal,” Packowitz added. “We need to push for it.”

Ultimately, the Patriots controlled the action at the net.

“Our whole thing is to take the net away (from the opposition),” Packowitz said. “Just crush and rush.”

New Trier won the team championship in the rugged eight-team invitational. A big key was the work of Jared Hiltzik, who claimed a title at No. 1/No. 2 singles. In the final, Hiltzik avenged an earlier loss by defeating Deerfield’s Jason Brown 6-4, 6-3.

“I was happy with how I focused,” Hiltzik said. “I executed what my coach told me to do.”

Hiltzik, who tends to rush the net whenever he can, had to use more restraint against Brown.

“He (Brown) is such a good mover and passer,” Hiltzik said. “He can pull out a passing shot from wherever he is on the court. I had to be selective on what balls I came in on.”

The Trevian standout did not rest until he secured match point.

“Brown is such a fighter,” Hiltzik said. “You have to stay focused, because you never know what might happen.”

New Trier also received a boost in No. 3/No. 4 doubles. Alex Galoustian and David Laser won all four of their matches in straight sets to live up to their No. 1 seed.

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