Mustangs knock off Mendocino on the road, Willits at home
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MENDOCINO >> Middletown High School’s tennis team beat Mendocino 3-1 on Thursday in Mendocino, its second win of the week after defeating Willits 4-1 Tuesday in the Mustangs’ season opener at home.
Against Mendocino, Will Hoskins won 6-1, 6-4 in first singles while Harrison Brown posted a 7-5, 6-1 victory in second doubles. The third singles match between Middletown’s Anthony Lopez and Mendocino’s was tied one set apiece, Lopez taking the second set 6-4 after losing the first set 6-3. The match will be completed when Mendocino visits Middletown on March 18.
Leland Pike and Jasiah Pike won 7-5, 6-4 in first doubles. Mendocino’s lone win came in second doubles where Leah Vodopals and Eli Griffen beat Olivia Ruiz and Arianna Sypnicki 6-0, 6-1.
“Will has improved in the offseason and has solidified his spot as our No. 1 singles, but Harrison is also improved and is competitive,” Middletown head coach Tony Hart said. “These two will help each other improve all year.”
Added Hart of his 2025 squad, “Anthony should settle in at No. 3 singles after taking last year off to play baseball. The Pike brothers will only get better as this was Jasiah’s second day playing tennis. No foreign exchange students this year, but some homegrown athletes excited to compete.”
In Middletown’s season-opening win against Willits, Hoskins won 6-0, 6-1, Lopez prevailed 6-1, 6-0 in No. 2 singles, and Leland Pike won 6-1, 6-0 in No. 3 singles. Ruiz and Sypnicki teamed up for a 6-3, 6-1 win in No. 1 doubles.
Willits won by forfeit in No. 2 doubles.
“Good warmup, but we were missing three basketball players (competing in the NorCal playoffs),” Hart said.
Middletown returns to action Tuesday in Ukiah at 4 p.m.