This week, the boys tennis team improved on their undefeated season with their sixth, seventh and eighth wins against the B-CC Barons, Northwest Jaguars and the Poolesville Falcons.
On Wednesday the boys defeated the Barons 5-2, who bring a solid young team to the field this season.
Due to spring break and activities surrounding vacations, many players had to fill in for higher spots in the lineup than they were used to.
Senior Nathaniel Sherman stepped in for Lucas Schoch in the fourth singles spot, despite suffering one of the Vikes’ two defeats. The other defeat came in the second singles spot when Sean Ngo lost in his third set of the match.
However disappointing Ngo’s loss in second singles was, third singles, Jack Welch, came in the clutch in the third set of his match and dominated his opponent.
Along with Welch’s win, lead singles Aries Wong and all of the doubles teams secured wins.
After a momentum building win against the Barons, the Vikes faced one of the easiest opponents they will face this year in the Jaguars, winning 7-0.
Finally, in their third match of the week on Friday, the Vikes defeated the Poolesville Falcons 6-1.
Despite missing second and third singles players Ngo and Welch, the team stepped up yet again with Lucas Schoch, Oscar Levine and Tyler Jacobson filling in and getting needed wins.
The lead singles match featured a great matchup between Wong and the Falcons’ Dennis Wang, one of the best players in the state and a former county champion.
Wong lost in three sets after having taken an early lead.
“The level of tennis was just incredible,” Schoch said. “Easily some of the best high school tennis you’ll see anywhere.”
This was easily one of Wong’s hardest opponents he will face all season, according to Jacobson. These two opponents may meet again in the post-season.
The Vikes will face one of their toughest opponents of the season the Tuesday after break when they play the undefeated Churchill Bulldogs. This matchup, between the top two teams in the county, will likely decide the county champion.
