The Tigers took their first win of the season tonight against Rolla, 6-3.  Although playing Jeff City last night, it was still a little difficult to determine how well Waynesville tennis had prepared for the beginning of this season. They knew that tonight’s match would give us a little better indicator.   Rolla has always competed well with us.  For the past three years, either team has won by only one set.  We always seem to have an exciting match, fighting neck-in-neck until the end.  Tonight’s was no different. 

Starting with doubles, the Tigers stole only one of the three doubles matches.  Tyler Gayman and Cameron Martell, returning doubles partners from last year, played very well together.  Knowing your doubles partner well definitely holds advantage, especially at the beginning of the season. These boys are so in-sync with each other, and tonight they proved just how important that could be by taking an 8-2 win over their opponents. 

Moving on to Singles, the Tigers got another win by Martell to even the score 2-2.  Then, both new to varsity tennis, Soph. Caleb Andrews and Jr. Andrew Esguerra finished together, each with different outcomes. Andrews played an incredibly long match tonight.  He and his opponent never spread further than one game apart from each other the whole match.  Taking the lead from the start Caleb played some of the best tennis I’ve ever seen him play.  Falling behind a game, Caleb struggle to take the lead until the end when he finished with three back-to-back game wins, 8-6. 

Esguerra, despite losing 6-8, played a very heated match as well.  I’m very proud of this kid!  He has worked so hard and made such huge strides this off-season.  Competing toward the bottom of the lineup last year, Esguerra has worked all the way up to the Varsity squad.  Not only is he playing at the Varsity level, but he’s also competing well against his opponents. Every part of his game has improved.  Seeing him have so much success on the court this year is absolutely phenomenal.  One of the greatest parts about coaching is being able to look back and see where kids have come, and Esguerra is a prime example of that.

Now tied 3-3, the Tigers took three straight wins and the 6-3 victory over the Bulldogs.  Waynesville Tennis will take on Lebanon at home on Monday before traveling to Richland on Tuesday of next week. 

Singles

David Sneed vs. Blake Riedle, 8-6

Tyler Gayman vs. Ethan Walker, 8-2

Cameron Martell vs. Micah Bolton, 8-3

Aarron Emperato vs. Muntadher Jawad, 8-3

Caleb Andrews vs. Sean Kim, 8-6

Andrew Esguerra vs. Josiah Homan, 6-8

Doubles

Sneed/Emperato vs. Riedle/Walker, 3-8

Gayman/Martell vs. Bolton/Jawad, 8-2

Andrews/Esguerra vs. Homan/Jacob Lenox, 5-8