Southern Wayne junior Matt Blizzard returns a shot against Eastern Wayne’s Lucia Mandujano during their No. 5 singles match Thursday afternoon. Blizzard won 6-3, 6-4. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Hudson Hulet dropped a 7-6, 6-0 decision to Eastern Wayne’s Jose Lopez at No. 3 singles on Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Aaron Whiting attempts to play a ball at his feet during his No. 2 singles match against Eastern Wayne senior Christian Torres on Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne senior Drew Bryan, one of four returning starters, stretches to return a forehand shot against Eastern Wayne senior Hunter Wofford at No. 1 singles Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne multi-sport athlete Evin Williams and Eastern Wayne’s Brandon Sutton played numerous advantage points in several games before Sutton claimed a two-set win at No. 4 singles Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
DUDLEY — Don’t be surprised to see David Van Dyke cruising the halls or combing the nearby bushes for additional tennis players on the Southern Wayne High campus during the next few days.
For the second time this week, the short-handed Saints stepped onto the courts down 2-0 before the first serve took place in any singles match.
Junior Matthew Blizzard claimed the lone point during an 8-1 loss to county rival Eastern Wayne in cloudy conditions Thursday afternoon. A multi-sport athlete, the fifth-seeded Blizzard turned back the Warriors’ Lucia Mandujano 6-3, 6-4.
“I knew we were short-handed coming into the three-game week,” Van Dyke said. “I asked the team to give me their best effort and they really battled. Of course, the scores say we were dominated, but they really fought hard.
“It made me realize it’s better to have small numbers with a team that will fight than a bigger team that doesn’t play up to their potential.”
Southern Wayne’s quartet of Drew Bryan, Aaron Whiting, Hudson Hulet and Evin Williams each played a tension-filled opening set.
The top-seeded Bryan trailed 4-3 in the first set before falling 6-3, 6-2 to Hunter Wofford at the No. 1 slot. Whiting suffered a 7-5, 6-0 loss. Seeded fourth, Williams rallied from an opening-set loss, but couldn’t keep the momentum in a 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (5) setback at No. 4 singles.
Hulet held a 6-5 advantage in the first set and tumbled 7-6, 6-0.
“The team played good first sets against Eastern Wayne,” Van Dyke said. “They appeared to run out of gas in the second sets.”
Eastern Wayne prevailed 8-5 at No. 1 doubles and cruised 8-1 at No. 2. The Warriors, directed by veteran head coach Craig Hassell, received walkovers at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles.
“It’s just a matter of time before we find the right combinations for the team,” Van Dyke said. “Our four returning players have all gotten better since last year. The two ‘rookies’ are also looking for ways to improve. It’s just going to take time.
“We’re hoping to get more players soon so we don’t give the competition ‘freebies.’”
Southern Wayne (0-3 overall) entertains Quad County 3A rival Hunt next Tuesday. First serve is 3:30 p.m.
