Maverick Tennis made the most of their opening weekend of SPC matches held in Austin with team victories over St. Stephen’s and St. Andrew’s. St. John’s The Girls’ team defeated St. Stephen’s 4-1 in swift fashion, and the Boys’ team played past sunset to qualifying for Friday night lights.  The boys went down early in # 1 singles (6-0, 6-1) followed by a loss in #2 doubles.  St. Stephen’s looked primed to close out the dual match with the third clinching victory in boys #1 doubles.  The Spartans top doubles tandem were up a set and leading 4-1, until Eric Lee ’19 and Byran Trammell ’19 found their groove to win the second set 7-5 and the third 6-4.  Meanwhile, Mavericks #3 singles Russell Li ’22 won in straight sets (6-0, 6-0) knotting the contest 2-2 with the team victory on the strings of #2 singles Andrew Sall ’20.  Saul cruised in the first set winning 6-2.  He lost the second set 6-2, but won the third 6-1.

“I finished the match by just trying to be consistent,” said Sall.

“The things I am most proud of is how our guys hung in there and came back to win,” said Boys’ Head Coach Steve Gleaves. 

On Saturday the girls' team cruised past St. Andrews’s 5-0.  The boys' team once again found themselves in a pivotal match to seal the team victory against St. Andrew’s, another strong team from Austin.  Vijay Patel ’19 lost in #1 singles 2 & 2 and our #2 doubles of Jackson Edwards ’19 and William Urdahl ’20 won in straight sets.  With the team score tied 1-1, St. John’s was on the fence for the win.  Both #2 singles and #1 doubles split sets.  Saul lost the first set in #2 singles but knotted it up with a 6-1 second set win.  #1 singles Trammell and Lee put the Mavs up 2-1 after winning their third set 6-1.  Moments later Li won his #3 singles match and the team victory was in hand.  Sall made it 4-1 Mavs with a 6-3 third set win.  Last year he lost to the same opponent. 

“I was pumped playing next to Andrew,” said Russell.  “He was playing really great tennis.”

“Everyone played well over the weekend,” said Girls’ Head Coach Zeze DeMoura.  “We have some strong opponents ahead.”

“There are more tough matches to come and we wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Gleaves.

Both teams face SPC opponent John Cooper on Wednesday at Lost Forest Tennis Club. Be on time and be prepared to stay late as the Mavericks look to play more lights-out tennis.