ALTOONA - Juniata's Isaac Eck tried a page out of Notre Dame's playbook in Saturday's District 6 Class AA singles tennis championship match.
Eck, who lost the first set - the first one he lost this year - switched his shirt.
However, unlike the infamous "Green Jersey Game," switching his shirt didn't help Eck. Eck fell to Westmont Hilltop's Parag Dharbhamulla in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0 at ProCare Athletic Club.
"He played incredible," Eck said of Dharbhamulla. "(For me), it's definitely a disapointment."
After losing the fifth game of the first set, Dharbhamulla did not lose another game.
"This is definitely the best match I have played all year, high-school wise," Dharbhamulla said. "I'm just glad. I mean I played my best against him, and I'm really glad I saved to today to play my best."
The Hilltoppers senior was dominant after losing that fifth game in the first set, although Eck did make things interesting by forcing a deuce in all but one game in the second set.
"My confidence level went a little bit high, but I knew he is a great player and he could bounce back if he wanted to," Dharbhamulla said. "I didn't really get too over confident."
Dharbhamulla's win was his second straight District 6 championship.
"He got off to a fast start in both sets," Westmont Hilltop coach Mike Kush said. "Parag is a senior. Isaac is a freshman. Experience was definately on Parag's side."
"I think Isaac played very well but he ran into a buzz saw," Juniata coach Alan Musselman said. "We didn't see any weaknesses (in Dharbhamulla) from the outset, and that is unbelievable for a high school double-A player. "
Eck's youth, however, means that he has three more chances to win a District 6 title.
"Not being a senior and losing in the finals helps ... but I am looking forward to the next three years," Eck said. "I think I can. It's definitely going to be tough."
Musselman said Eck already has started to show leadership as a freshman.
"Isaac, as a freshman at 14 years of age, has proven himself to be an incredible leader. All of these kids, whatever their age, have a great deal of respect for him," the coach said. "He has helped a lot in training and in attitude."
In a matchup of State College players, Blake Gregory defeated Cooper Josephs, 6-1, 6-1, in State College to win the Class AAA title.
