Jim Thorpe head coach Norb Leinhard stressed how important his doubles teams were in Thursday’s tennis match against Palmerton.

The Olympians rode the clutch play of their doubles players to a 4-1 victory over the Blue Bombers.

“The doubles are starting to gel,” Leinhard said. “The first couple of matches, we were losing games and sets that I thought we should win. Now they’re starting to play as doubles teams. This was a big match for us because we knew Palmerton is a good team.

“This is a good week. The kids are really playing the way I’d like them to play. They’re starting to hit the ball better and using their head out there a little bit.”

The Jim Thorpe duo of Nolan Rehrig and Daniel Teets picked up a victory at No. 1 doubles, while Erik McLain-Walter and Robert Renode won at No. 2 doubles.

“The No. 1 doubles team is starting to hit the ball harder at the net and half of my No. 2 doubles team was starting to play better at the net,” Leinhard added. “That’s the big thing because before we were putting everything into the net. It seems like now they’re controlling their volleys.”

Connor Rodgers shined at No. 3 singles for Jim Thorpe by defeating Lucas Christman in straight sets 6-1, 6-3.

However, there was a bright spot for Palmerton in the losing effort. Nate Andress prevailed over Raymond O’Neil at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-2.

The longest match of the day belonged to Palmerton’s Erica Messics and Jim Thorpe’s Emilio Mercado, whose match lasted over two hours in a back-and-forth performance before Merchado pulled out the victory.

“Erica is amazing,” Palmerton head coach Jennifer Danzeisen said. “She makes her opponents work for it and she just doesn’t give up. I’m very proud of her performance. She was playing for over two hours non-stop and had a great attitude. They both played their hearts out and she ended up losing. It happens.”

Palmerton doesn’t have a big number of players on its team, but Danzeisen noted how it made small mistakes in Thursday’s match that cost them a chance at victory.

“Honestly, I’m kind of happy with how they were playing,” Danzeisen said. “I think they were all evenly matched in first, second and third singles. I think we could’ve done better. They were all making simple mistakes, but they were fighting for it.

“I was a little disappointed. I thought we would have better scores. My doubles, who are still very young and learning, I didn’t know how that was going to turn out.”

UP NEXT … With Palmerton’s tight schedule crunch, the Blue Bombers (3-4) travel to Notre Dame-Green Pond Friday, while Jim Thorpe (3-3) will face Allentown Central Catholic on Monday. Palmerton had a match every day this week.

PALMERTON PREPARATION ... Danzeisen talked about how the crammed schedule affected the team’s preparation. “We have one week to get our kids ready, and for the last couple of years. There was nothing ready because of the weather so we couldn’t play on the courts. I’m in a small gym for a couple days a week. I don’t have time to work with them, and I think all the coaches are in the same boat. Because the timing of everything, we don’t have the time to work with them sooner.”

Jim Thorpe 4, Palmerton 1

SINGLES

Nate Andress (P) def. Raymond O’Neil 6-1, 6-2; Emilio Mercado (JT) def. Erica Messics 7-6, 5-7, 10-7; Connor Rodgers (JT) def. Lucas Christman 6-3, 6-1.

DOUBLES

Nolan Rehrig/Daniel Teets (JT) def. Hunter Connell/Tim Hillandbrand 6-1, 6-0; Erik McLain-Walkter/Robert Renode (JT) def. Brayden Kline/Hailey Hatzis 6-0, 6-2.