The Signal Mountain boys' tennis team cruised Tuesday and stayed undefeated, but Chattanooga Christian handed the Lady Eagles their first loss. The Eagles won 8-1 while the Lady Chargers pulled out a 5-4 nail-biter in District 7-A/AA action at Signal Mountain.
With sunshine pushing the rain out and helping dry the courts, the Eagles started hot, sweeping doubles to build a 3-0 cushion before heading into singles.
"I'm really proud of the way both teams played today," Signal coach Robin Moore said. "They looked really good."
In the no. 1 doubles match, Signal Mountain's Anna Cameron, left, returns a volley as teammate Hanna Skinner, right, moves to cover open court Tuesday in their 8-5 win over Chattanooga Christian's Kadie Ann Smith and Olivia Torbett.Jason Morris and Luke Blentlinger highlighted doubles with an 8-6 win over Joe Sliger and Will French in a rematch of their bout in the consolation bracket of the Chattanooga Rotary Tennis Championships. Morris and Blentlinger won that matchup as well.
CCS got its lone boys' win out of Preston Poe in the No. 6 slot. Poe was down 7-4 before coming back for a 9-7 victory. French had a comeback bid of his own, forcing an extra set against Signal Mountain's Grant Williams, but Williams held on for the 9-7 victory at No. 2.
"I feel like our teams are very ready. They're well prepared," Moore said. "We've played in a couple of tournaments where we've seen higher-level teams. I think that's prepared us well for the rest of the district matches and the postseason."
In the girls' match, Signal Mountain built a 2-1 lead in doubles, including a close 9-7 victory at No. 2, but shorthanded CCS made its move in singles.
"We were missing our No. 3, so our No. 5 had to bump up, and our No. 7 came in as well," Lady Chargers coach Laura Henry said. "So we really came together and played well as a team."
Lizzy Hoffecker was the one who took over the 3 spot, and her match ended up being the last one on the court with the match on the line. It came down to the wire, and Hoffecker held on for the 9-7 victory after the set was knotted at 7-all.
"In those close matches, you just have to remember what you practiced and get back to the basics of tennis," Henry said. "We have a lot of fighters on this team."
Contact Idris Garcia at sports@timesfreepress.com.