The Washington tennis team looked strong from top to bottom on Monday as the Pam Pack slid past area rival Riverside 9-0 to top the Knights for the second time this season.
Washington won the first matchup 6-3, but was able to sweep the Knights the second time around to improve its record to 6-0 on the year.
“I think we played a lot better this time,” Washington first-year coach Miranda Whitley said. “They were all able to get wins. There were some close matches but they have improved since our first match of the year.”
Though Washington won 9-0, the Knights hung tough throughout the day and made the Pam Pack work for every point it earned.
“We had several tough matches, but (Washington) was able to get some key points,” Riverside coach Matt Mathews said. “The No. 1 doubles matchup was excellent. You won’t see a better match than that around here. They were hitting well and volleying well and there was good teamwork.”
The Pam Pack duo of No. 1 seed Connor Wilkins and No. 2 seed Luke Harris squared off against Riverside’s combo of No. 1 seed Chase Conner and No. 3 seed Rashad Williams and provided spectators with a spectacular match.
The netters took turns sending screaming serves over the net at each other only to see them returned by well placed volleys. In the end, Wilkins and Harris were able to edge past Conner and Little 8-5.
“That was just excellent doubles play, it was a pleasure to watch that match,” Mathews said. “It was back-and-forth the whole way but Washington was able to get a some key points. When both teams are evenly matched it usually comes down to a few key points.”
Washington would finish doubles play strong as No. 3 seed Holt McKeithan and No. 6 seed Luke Ainsworth downed No. 2 Brett Ross and No. 4 Anderson Caldwell 8-6, while No. 4 John Tate and No. 5 Corson Beckman topped No. 5 Luke Jarrett and No. 6 Jaden Spruill 8-3.
In singles play, Wilkins and Conner faced off in a tremendous matchup of highly skilled players that Wilkins was able to win 6-0, 7-5.
After winning the first set convincinly, Conner roared back in the second and jumped out to take a brief lead, but Wilkins was able to fend him off for the victory.
“In the second set Connor was down 5-2 and I could tell he was frustrated so I went to talk to him and told him to calm down,” Whitley said. “Then he was able to win that second match.”
The rest of the matches weren’t as close as Harris defeated Ross 6-2, 6-2, McKeithan topped Williams 6-3, 6-1, Tate took down Caldwell 6-4, 6-2, Buckman squeezed past Jarrett 6-4, 6-4 and Ainsworth rolled past Spruill 6-2, 6-0.
The Pam Pack will be back in action today at 4 p.m. when it takes on Havelock.