CLOVERDALE — Making an unexpected trip to Cloverdale worked out just fine for the Middletown High School tennis team, a 3-2 winner over the Eagles in Coastal Mountain Conference action Friday afternoon in Cloverdale.
Although the match was originally scheduled to take place at the Hidden Valley Lake courts, it was moved to Cloverdale at the Eagles’ request because of transportation problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Middletown (1-1) collected its first victory of the season by winning both doubles matches and prevailing in No. 3 singles where Reese Caldwell defeated Grace Kelder 6-0, 6-3. In doubles action, Joe and John Reynoso won 6-2, 6-1 in No. 1 doubles, and the Mustangs also won No. 2 doubles by forfeit.
In other matches, Paige Astley fell 6-3, 6-4 in No. 1 singles while Lara Patterson dropped a 6-2, 6-4 decision in No. 2 singles. Both matches were competitive and well played, according to Middletown head coach Tracey Kucer.
“It was a great match,” Kucer said of Patterson’s loss. “And there were lots of long rallies in Paige’s match.”
Added Kucer, “It was our first team win and they’re looking really good.”
Middletown fell 4-1 at St. Helena in its season opener on Tuesday. The Mustangs return to action next Tuesday at Kelseyville.
In other tennis action Friday:
St.Helena 4, Kelseyville 1
At Kelseyville, the St. Helena Saints improved to 2-0 in conference play with a victory at Kelseyville where the Knights’ lone win came in first singles as Johnny Rixen rallied for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Macie McPherson.
In other singles play, Audie Novak beat Larue Furlani 6-4, 6-0 in second singles, and Robert Przybylinski defeated Ryann Taylor 7-5, 6-4 in third singles.
In doubles action, Hannah Scully and Rylan Lipscomb of Kelseyville fell 6-2, 7-5 to Max Brown and Will Pakter in No. 1 doubles. In No. 2 doubles, Henry Dixon and Vinny Altemus of St. Helena beat Samantha Carter and Maddy Madrzyk 6-0, 6-1.
Kelseyville (0-2) is home again Tuesday against Middletown (1-1).
