Page powers Talawanda tennis win in season opener

This story was produced by Miami University journalism student Aubrey Sess in partnership with the Oxford Free Press.

With the match tied late in the afternoon on April 7, Talawanda High School junior Andy Page delivered in second singles, winning a third-set tiebreak to secure Talawanda’s 3-2 home victory over Harrison High School. 

Nate Silberstein, the tennis team’s head coach, noted that previous matchups between the two former conference rivals often finished close, and the 2026 season opener was no different. 

Page entered the match with a clear approach.

“Start hot. Get up 1-0 for myself,” he said. “And try to smooth sail from there.”

But there was nothing smooth about the finish. 

After splitting the first two sets, Page found himself in a high pressure third set with the outcome of the entire team match resting on his shoulders. As other courts cleared, the attention shifted solely to his match.

“Seeing the empty courts next to you adds another level of pressure,” Page said. “I have to win this thing.”

In a game that featured multiple deuce points and long rallies, Page relied on composure and strategy rather than force. 

“You need to go little by little,” he said. “Focus on getting your serve in, be ready for the return, then read your opponent.”

That approach paid off as he controlled key points late in the game and closed out the tiebreak to clinch the match for Talawanda. 

Another key point came from first doubles, where seniors Connor Pulaski and Ari DelVecchio secured a win. 

Earlier in the match, junior Jesse Reynolds battled back after dropping the first set 6-1, winning the second set 7-5 in his first career singles appearance, before ultimately falling in the third set. 

“I just wanted to hang with him,” Reynolds said of opponent Ridge Owens. “This guy has played first singles for the past two years. I thought I did well for the first time (playing against him).”

Silberstein said he was proud of the team’s effort in its first match of the season. 

“It’s always hard coming off break and seeing how fast we can knock the dust off,” he said.

Talawanda is now 2-0 on the young season. The Brave next take on Hamilton on the road on April 10.