Playing back-to-back matches against district opponents, the boys tennis team geared up for their matches against Winter Springs on Feb. 17 and Lake Mary on Feb. 18.
The boys fell short against Winter Springs, ending in a score of 5-2. Line one sophomore Baba Akhil Dudekula led the team, winning his singles with a score of 8-0. He also won his doubles match with a score of 8-4, playing with line two senior Parth Goyal.
Senior Jerry Liu played line four for the team against both schools, losing 8-4 against Winter Springs and 8-2 against Lake Mary. The boys have a chance at redemption against Winter Springs, as they will face them again on March 11.
“Overall, I felt I hit well and had good shots, even though I lost,” senior Jerry Liu said. “I had strong rallies, and I was glad I got a couple of games.”
Against Lake Mary, the team was outmatched and fell 7-0.
“I didn’t feel that confident going into Lake Mary because of their reputation of being a strong team,” Akhil Dudekula said.
Being undefeated, Lake Mary was a solid opponent and played well, but the boys brought their best game.
“I knew it was going to be a tough match, but I went in with my all and tried my best,” Liu said.
Throughout the doubles games, the players worked on poaching and attacking the ball when they were given the chance. Poaching is important because it can end the point quicker, but it can only be done when partners set up the play for each other.
Junior Angad Bagga played doubles with Liu and lost, ending with a score of 8-0.
“I need to work on consistency, just getting more depth with my shots,” Bagga said.
Using this experience, the players hope to have the opportunity to come back stronger against other teams.
“As far as improvement as a team, I think players need to work more on their own time, to work on the skills they lack,” Coach Madelyn Escudero said. “We did the best with the skills that we had.”
The boys will bring energy to the courts at their next games on Feb. 24 against Oviedo on home grounds and Feb. 25 at Lyman.
