Mustangs can wrap up Coastal Mountain Conference North tennis title with win Tuesday
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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE >> The Middletown High School tennis team not only helped itself in a big way Monday afternoon, but the Mustangs also got some unexpected help in their drive for a third straight Coastal Mountain Conference North tennis title at the Hidden Valley Lake courts.
Middletown avenged a 4-1 loss earlier this season to Mendocino with a hard-fought 3-2 victory that included a pair of three-set victories and one three-set loss. Middletown head coach Tony Hart said that Mendocino also had to forfeit an earlier win, so the Mustangs now lead the CMC North at 10-1 to Mendocino’s 9-2. If they win Tuesday at home against Fort Bragg, they’ll claim the undisputed championship.
“Both teams were pulling for their players, and even though it was late and cold there, there was great energy and sportsmanship from both sides,” Hart said. “It is what high school tennis is all about. Mendo has a great team and excellent players.”
Middletown won both doubles matches to pull out the victory. Nalu Johnson and Luis Pamatz, undefeated on the season, beat Lea Vadspals and Gabi McElroy 6-3, 6-1 in first doubles while Anthony Lopez and Jasiah Pike rallied from a set down to beat Vale Guthier and Eli Griffin 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 in second doubles, which decided the match in dramatic fashion.
“Anthony and Jasiah went down 6-1 in the first and I though it was over,” Hart said. “They rallied with strong net play by Jasiah and won the second set. So, with the lights on and the league championship on the line, they played the third set.”
Added Hart, “Anthony made some great shots, and Jasiah served his best game of the year to pull it off in the third (set) for an emotional win,” Hart said.
All three singles matches were battles. Mendocino’s Max Oathey beat Will Hoskins 6-1, 7-5 in first singles. In second singles, Middletown’s Harrison Brown rallied for a 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 win over Enzo Abuliak while Mendocino’s Leo Hinkle outlasted Leland Pike 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in third singles.
“Harrison took the second set and rolled in the third for the win,” Hart said. “He is a competitor and refuses to let himself give in. He served excellent and handled one of the best serves in the league in Enzo.”
Pike’s battle in third singles almost went his way.
“Leland won the second set and was up 4-2 in the third, but just couldn’t hang on,” Hart said. “He is just getting his feet wet in singles and will be our No. 2 next year, and this was valuable experience.”
