Baylor tops McCallie 5-2 in tennis showdown

Baylor and McCallie both have their sights set on the tennis state tournament, and their paths are set after their matchup Wednesday at Baylor.

The visiting Blue Tornado came out strong, winning the doubles point, but the Red Raiders battled back to win five out of six singles matches. Baylor won 5-2.

"It was anyone's game after doubles," said Baylor coach Philip Johnson. "McCallie is a tough team and is always hanging in there. We're learning to do that. We're learning to hang in there and fight."

McCallie took two out of three doubles to win the point with Chad Woodham and Jack Gray getting the only win for Baylor at No. 1 doubles. Connor O'Brien with Andrew Smith and Charlie Thel with Cody Gubin picked up the wins for McCallie.

Gubin also took the lone singles win for the Blue Tornado in the No. 1 position in three sets. Gubin won the tiebreaker after Woodham battled back to take the second set.

"It was typical Baylor-McCallie," McCallie coach Eric Voges said. "Every number fought hard, and it was very exciting. I give credit to Cody for hanging tough even though we had already lost the match. These guys want to win for the team."

Gray had a key victory for Baylor in the No. 3 singles match, coming back from a 4-1 deficit in the first set. Cooper Long, Patrick Toomey, Alec Kadrie and Stewie Austin netted the remaining wins for the Red Raiders.

"To take five of six singles is a great effort by our guys," Johnson said.

Region winner Baylor will host Christian Brothers in a state quarterfinal next week, with a spot at the Spring Fling in Murfreesboro on the line. McCallie is scheduled to host Brentwood Academy on Tuesday.

"We're going to go in preparing for state," Voges said. "Everyone wants to play for state, and we're going to get mentally and physically prepared to go back."

Contact Idris Garcia at sports@timesfreepress.com.

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