StC News

Saints victorious against Covenant

Pontus Hiort
Varsity tennis now 3-0 on the season.
After two straight wins to open the season, the St. Christopher’s varsity tennis team traveled to Charlottesville on Tuesday to take on Covenant. After another successful outing, the team notched its third straight win.

Sophomore Jackson Barkstrom put the Saints on the board early after a good match at number four singles. Senior Julian Mills increased his team’s lead after a commanding performance at number three. Freshman Alston Hackney made his season debut at number five, and played well from beginning to end in his match.

At number six singles, sophomore Spencer Seward played his first varsity match, and acquitted himself quite well as he won in a convincing fashion. Junior Stephen McCray clinched the team win with a solid performance at number two that netted him a good victory. At number one singles, junior Matthew Fernandez was locked in what would go down as one of the more dramatic matches in recent Saints tennis history.

Faced with an opponent who dominated the match early with a powerful serve and heavy groundstrokes, Matthew found himself down 9-3, and on several occasions was only one point away from defeat. After a courageous performance that included some fantastic rallies, Matthew staged a remarkable comeback and pulled out an 11-10 win in a very impressive fashion.

Buoyed by the sweep in singles, the team continued the momentum in doubles. Matthew and Stephen played good aggressive doubles at number one, while Julian and Jackson netted another convincing win at number two. At number three doubles, freshman Corbin Ellington partnered with senior Carter Clements who made his varsity debut. After a close beginning, the Saints duo pulled away to finish with a flurry.

In all, it was a great win for the team, and it was great to have Spencer and Carter record their first varsity wins. The Saints are next in action on Friday when they travel to Norfolk for a match-up with a very tough Norfolk Academy team. First serve is scheduled for 4 PM.

St. Christopher's 9, Covenant 0
Singles: Fernandez d. Rose 11-10 (7-3); S. McCray d. Wang 10-4; Mills d. Bolland 10-1; Barkstrom d. N. Hollis 10-0; Hackney d. J. Hollis 10-2; Seward d. Carson 10-0
Doubles: Fernandez/S. McCray d. Rose/Wang 8-3; Mills/Barkstrom d. Bolland/N. Hollis 8-2; Clements/Ellington d. J. Hollis/Carson 8-2
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