Coming off of their 6-0 win Wednesday against Helias, the RBHS tennis team was in action again Thursday against cross town rival Hickman with the district championship on the line.
This was the third clash between the teams this season with Rock Bridge having won the previous two. The bruins also had their number one player in junior Rohit Rao back in the line-up for the championship tilt.
In the singles competition, the Bruins quickly won on court two with senior Raymond Majors 6-1 and 6-3, on court three with freshman Brian Baker 6-3 and 6-2, on court four with senior Harry Bozoian 6-2 and 6-0 and on court five with freshman John Swift 6-0 and 6-0.
Things did not come so easily for Rock Bridge with Rao on court one and Senior Nate Horvit on court six. After winning their first sets 6-2 and 6-4 respectively the two Bruins were forced to play catch up in the second sets and were unable to capture outright victories. Rao dropped his second set 5-7.
Horvit, however, did force his second set to go to a seven point tiebreaker in which the first player to score seven points would win the set, and in this case if he won, the match and the district championship. Horvit raced out to a 6-3 lead before his opponent, Micky Hua, scored 2 consecutive points to bring the score to 6-5. On his next serve Horvit was able to capture the next point, the set, the match and the district title.
“Nate is another warrior out there,” Bruins head coach Ben Loeb said. “He never gives in. He keeps competing in a positive way. He is a real good example for everybody.”
The Bruins clinched the match with Horvit’s win and ended the match on court one in the third set. The Bruins won by a final score of 5-0.
“It felt good to get out there and take care of business,” Horvit said. “Congrats to Hickman on their season. We are looking forward to the rest of the playoffs.”
The RBHS players will be in action again on Saturday, May 17 for a chance to advance in the individual side of Missouri class two tennis at bethel at 9 a.m.
By Pen Terry
