Greenbrier can't hold on to strong start

Greenbrier's boys tennis players were headed for their cars when coach Jennifer Lowery called for some help cleaning up the snacks.

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The Wolfpack had just lost to Starr's Mill, 3-2, to end their undefeated streak, and each player was headed in a different direction.

Senior Daniel Pique will eventually carry him to the University of Georgia in the fall, where he hopes to walk on the Bulldogs tennis team.

Sophomore Markus Vesala will move back to his home in Finland after 10 years in the United States.

Maurice Rolle will head for more doctors' visits. He played half-blind during his final high school match, the result of a disease causing his immune system to attack his right eye.

Each player had his own story, but they all mentioned the team's effort. After some debate, it was decided the Wolfpack's final record was 16-1. Its season included three wins against rival Lakeside, the last earning Greenbrier the Region 3-AAAA title.

The Wolfpack was like family, down to two sets of brothers on the team.

"I think we did really well," said Pique, who won his singles match 6-4, 6-1. "It's been our best season."

Freshman Cory Jenkinson breezed through his match at No. 2, 6-2, 6-0, causing him to wonder whether Starr's Mill had stacked their lineup and slotted a better player at the No. 3 slot.

"It was hard to play against the guy," Jenkinson said. "He was really off-speed."

The Wolfpack dropped the next three points -- both doubles matches and No. 3 singles.

Junior Parker LaSure fell 6-4, 6-4 at No. 3. The No. 1 doubles team of Drew LaSure and Chase Duff was knocked off 6-4, 6-4 after putting up a fight in both sets.

Rolle and Vesala's match at No. 2 wasn't as competitive.

Rolle was diagnosed with autoimmune uveitis two years ago.

He goes to an eye doctor and immune system specialist for a total of at least six times a month.

Cortisone shots treat the inflammation, but his doctor was out of town when his eye flared up the weekend before the second-round match. He was forced to play without the use of his right eye.

"I already knew I was going to do bad," Rolle said. "I freaked (Vesala) out. He knew he had a partner who was disabled."

Lowery didn't think Rolle's misfortune affected his play much and said he was still great at the net.

Rolle found reason to cheer up.

"It was still our best season," he said.