DECEMBER 2 • 2021 | 29

return into the net.
That came after 
Kirchenbaum had some luck 
tying the tie-breaker 8-8. A 
shot that hit the frame of his 
racquet had so much spin on 
it that it kicked away from 
his opponent.
Franklin went 5-1 in the 
16-team, three-day national 
tournament, going 3-1 in 
round-robin play and win-
ning semifinal and champi-
onship matches.
Three of Franklin’s six 
matches ended in a 2-2 tie 
and went to a tie-breaker. 
Franklin won twice through 
the tie-breaker, including a 
victory over San Francisco in 
the semifinals.
Kirschenbaum said solid 
team chemistry played a 
major role in Franklin’s run 
to a national title.
Franklin won league, 
district, state and Midwest 
championships en route to 
the national tournament.
“
A big reason for our good 
team chemistry was having 
a leader (Byer) who continu-
ously pushed you to do your 
best,” Kirschenbaum said. 
“
Ari did a phenomenal job.”
Byer, a Beverly Hills 
resident, praised his team. 
Eleven players went to the 
national tournament.
“I sent an email to the 
entire team before the season 
that said we had only goal: 
get to the national tourna-
ment,” he said. “Not one 
person complained then, or 
during the season, about not 
getting enough playing time.
“It was a great group. We 
had players from all over 
the area, from Chesterfield 
Township to Northville.” 

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