The match between the Northampton and Whitehall boys tennis last Thursday featured two teams with identical records in a battle to see who would climb up the standings in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Both teams entered the match 7-4, and were right in the middle of the pack in the EPC standings.

Whitehall struggled, however, and the Konkrete Kids emerged with the 5-1 victory to currently put themselves in the eighth spot in the standings. Whitehall (7-5) now occupies the tenth spot in a quest for an EPC team championship berth.

In No. 1 singles, Nick Rohn lost to Andrew Hozza, 6-3, 6-2. Hozza, was often like a Konrete wall in his play against Rohn. He consistently returned Rohn’s shots, many of which had excellent pace, and his strategy of foregoing ferocity in favor of consistency by just putting it in play, helped him take the match in straight sets.

Head coach Robert Panny said that Rohn ran into an opponent who did a masterful job of keeping the ball in play. Rohn’s had a marvelous season at No. 1 singles, but just ran into a player who could neutralize some of his power and pace.

“Nick’s a power player, and this kid [Hozza], returned the ball,” said Penny. “He was smooth.

“Nick’s an aggressive player, and this guy kept his cool and played well.”

Panny said that Northampton played well on Thursday. In every match they won, they dispatched their Zephyr counterparts in straight sets. He said their consistency ruled the day.

At No. 2 singles, Nick Demjan battled against Chris Nemeth in a tough three-setter. After dropping the first set, 3-6, Demjan rallied to win the reaming two sets, 6-4, 6-0.

At No. 3 singles, Josh Mallory lost to Cameron Chuss 6-1, 6-1 as the Kids took two of the three singles matches.

In a previous match against Allentown Central Catholic, Rohn’s match was suspended due to lightning. Panny said that it would be made up before the league or district tournaments. Panny said that the match was tied a set apiece, with Rohn up 3-2 in the third set and holding serve.

The Zephyrs dropped that match 5-1 to the Vikings, with Demjan the lone winner at No. 2 singles. He defeated Andy Feng 6-2, 6-4.

Whitehall has a busy week with three matches scheduled in a row. They begin by traveling to Nazareth on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Parkland on Wednesday, and finish that stretch by hosting Emmaus on Thursday.