TENNIS: Stevens grad rolls to straight-set win.
The men's singles open final had everyone's attention on Sunday, during the final day of the USTA Black Hills Common Cents Open.
The match featured Mark Rodel of Fruit Heights, Utah, and Rapid City Stevens graduate Billy Paluch.
Paluch, who will be a freshman at Creighton University in the fall, took the match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4 to win division.
"It was hot today, but I think we both played well," said Paluch following the match. "I give a lot of credit to Mark, he's a good player with great ground strokes and a tough serve. I got the better of him today. Maybe I was a little fresher."
Rodel, who is originally from South America, jumped out to an early 2-1 lead in the first set. Paluch rallied back and took consecutive games to take the first set 6-2.
In the second set, Rodel looked tired, missing shots just beyond the baseline. Paluch took advantage and took the second set to become the open singles champion.
"I focus on teaching tennis and get out and play competitively when the opportunity presents itself," Rodel said.
Rodel was the No. 1 seed in this tournament because he had won a few tournaments already this year on the USTA circuit.
Black Hills Common Cents Open
Final Results
Men's Open Singles
Finals-William Paluch def. Mark Rodel, 6-2, 6-3.
Women's Open Singles
Finals-Whitney Paluch def. Cindy Denholm, 7-5, 6-0.
Men's Open Doubles
Finals-Paluch/Paluch def. Baumann/Goetz, 6-3, 6-1.
Women's Open Doubles
Finals-McDougall/Paluch def. Denholm/Wright, 6-3, 6-1.
Mixed Open Doubles
Finals-McDougal/Paluch def. Denholm/Olson, 6-1, 6-3.
NTRP Men's 4.0 Singles
Finals-Brian Dever def. Roy Kramlich, 6-4, 2-6, 10-8.
NTRP Men's 4.5 Singles
Finals-Jason Olson def. Cody Malik,6-2, ret (inj).
NTRP Women's 3.5 Singles
Finals-Jeanne Wing def. Lynne Steinley, 6-2, 2-6, 10-7.
NTRP Women's 4.0 Singles
Round Robin-Kelli Galbraith def. Victoria Khatchatourian, 6-0, 6-4; Victoria Khatchatourian def. Kate Salkowski, 2-6, 7-6(4), 10-6.
NTRP Combined Men's 7.0 Doubles
Finals-Grassby/Herseth def. Powers/Zimmerman, 3-6, 6-4, 10-6.
NTRP Combined Men's 9.0 Doubles
Finals-Barber/Olson def. Ferrier/Tolman, 6-1, 6-4.
NTRP Combined Women's 7.0 Doubles
Finals-Edwards/Hanson def. Dehler/Grassby, 6-0, 6-1.
NTRP Combined Women's 8.0 Doubles
Finals-Gall/Khatchatourian def. Franz/Wanek, 6-4, 6-3.
Posted in Local on Saturday, July 4, 2009 11:00 pm | Tags: Local Sports, Tennis, Black Hills Common Cents Open, Billy Paluch, 07-05-2009, Jimmy Dettman
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