Tiger Tennis pulled out their second win of the season tonight against Lebanon, 5-4.  This match was intense!  Both teams were neck-in-neck throughout the whole match.  Starting with doubles, the Tigers pulled ahead 2-1 going into Singles.  Martell pulled out a win before the Tigers had two back-to-back losses with Aligbe and Hudson.  Tied up 3-3, Waynesville still needed two more wins to take the overall victory.  Berrios was the next to walk off the court.  After playing a long-rallied match with Lebanon’s Freshman Bryson Crowell, Berrios came up short in a well-fought 5-8 loss.  Down 3-4, Tiger Tennis still needed those two wins for a victory.  Derick Anglin played one of the best, and most intense matches of the night, leaving the court with a 9-8 (7-5) tiebreak win.  I’ve had the honor of watching Derick grow through my program since his freshman year.  He’s matured so much.  Having such a competitive mentality, Derick has always claimed his mind to be his greatest weakness.  As with most tennis players, overthinking can be the ultimate enemy.  I’ve watched Derick grow so much in the training of his mind, however.  He is one of the most positive boys on the team.  He walks into every match and every practice with the desire to work hard and give his best.  He’s really matured in his ability to control his thoughts throughout the match, not letting his opponent see any type of frustration this year.  Tonight’s tiebreaker only solidifies that fact.  A tiebreaker is the ultimate test of the mind, and it’s the mentally strong who will come out on top every time.  I’m so proud of him.  Right behind Derick, Tyler Gayman held all the pressure of the match on his shoulders.  Needing one more win for the team, Gayman wouldn’t take no as an answer.  Leading by just one game the whole way through, Tyler finished ahead, 8-6, and giving the Tigers their second team win of the season despite the absence of our #3, David Sneed.  Waynesville Tennis takes on Richland at home tomorrow at 4. 

Singles

Steven Berrios vs. Bryson Crowell, 5-8

Tyler Gayman vs. Aaron Crowell, 8-6

Derick Anglin vs. Cade Winfrey, 9-8 (7-5)

Cameron Martell vs. Moses Farr, 8-4

Eromo Aligbe vs. Sawyer Nichols, 5-8

Bryan Hudson vs. Kyle Moore, 5-8

Doubles

Berrios/Anglin vs. B. Crowell/A. Crowell, 3-8

Gayman/Martell vs. Winfrey/Farr, 8-6

Aligbe/Hudson vs. Nichols/Moore, 8-3