Playing in their final match before opening district competition Tuesday at Glen Rose, the Brownwood Lions and Lady Lions netted their second victory of the season, 11-8, over Graham Thursday on their home court.
After a string of narrow losses, the Lions and Lady Lions finally found a way to flip the script.
“We had a pretty big shake up in the girls’ lineup this week, but the team responded really well,” said Brownwood High tennis coach Dalton Hutchins. “The two freshmen down at No. 3 doubles, Arely Carrere and Coulter Day, had a huge win. The boys team took care of business, and Blake Hutchins’ comeback singles win clinched the match for us. Gigi Rodriguez wrapped up the evening with a singles win. I’m proud of the team for continuing to battle after some close losses. It’s a good confidence boost with our first district match right around the corner.”
The Lions swept all six boys singles matches as victories were claimed by No. 1 Hutchins (9-8 [1] over Brady Mills), No. 2 Eric Smith (8-2 over Chris Reyes), No. 3 Trine Baugh (8-5 over Tyler Bryan), No. 4 Aiden Oplotnik (8-2 over Keigan Garland), No. 5 Cooper Morgan (8-4 over Brooklyn Tarsoaga), and No. 6 Ian Cervantes (8-3 over Jordan Miranda).
The boys duos of No. 1 Baugh and Smith (8-1 over Reyes and Bryan) and No. 2 Oplotnik and Cervantes (8-1 over Garland and Tarsoaga) tacked on victories, as did the mixed doubles team of Hutchins and Ashlyn Bundick (8-4 over Mills and Stacy Gonzalez).
The girls wins were by Rodriguez at No. 4 singles (8-4 over Kline Krupp) and the No. 3 doubles duo of Day and Carrere (8-6 over Lemron White and Gloria Silveria).
The Lady Lions and Lions (2-4) will visit Glen Rose at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the first of four District 7-4A tennis matches during the fall semester.
