By Shivan Amin | September 25, 2018

On September 6, 2018, the Greenhills boys tennis team faced the defending Catholic League champions, Cranbrook, at home. They were supported by a multitude of Greenhills’ students, faculty, and parents.

The team has finished runner-up in States the last two years, but things are different this season. They’re motivated. They have already won the Greenhills Quad tournament, the Williamston Quad tournament, and the Sturgis Big 8 Invitational. They tied for first in the University of Liggett Invitational and finished in 2nd at the Clarkston Invitational. And now they have defeated Cranbrook, which bodes well for the remainder of the season. Cranbrook is recognized as a powerhouse within Michigan high school tennis, and they have been Division 3 state champions three years in a row (Greenhills competes in Division 4).

Coach Eric Gajar thought that the team “played exceptionally well together given the hot temperature that day.” He singled out junior Kaan Oral, who secured a victory at the two singles position, as well as captain Trey Feldeisen and junior Henry Branch, who won decisively at one doubles.

Nobody, however, was more impressive than junior Sahil Deenadayalu. Sahil won his first set 6-3 and lost the second 2-6. He rose to a score of 4-1 in the third, and victory seemed certain—but then the leg cramps began. His muscles locked up. His mobility was reduced, and he couldn’t serve well. He tried to apply ice, but the cramps remained, and Sahil lost the following four straight games. At a score of 4-5, his determination was the deciding factor. It propelled him through the remainder of the match and allowed him to push through the pain. He won the final set 7-5, conquering his leg cramps and bringing home the victory for Greenhills.