University High continued its march through the postseason by sweeping Region 1-A team tennis championships Thursday and Friday.
The UH boys scored a 4-1 victory over L&M Stem Academy and the girls defeated Alcoa 4-2 as both teams now advance to the sectional round. Each needs just one more win to advance to the state championships in Murfreesboro.
Graham Mefford gave the boys an early advantage with a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 2 singles in which Bucs coach Matt Trivett commented there were no problems. The other matches, however, were much tougher with Kyrylo Hnatusko taking a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 1 singles. Tyler Degennaro was down 1-4 in the second set of his No. 5 singles match, but rallied for a 6-4, 6-4 win.
Gavin Olsen lost a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6 (11-9), 4-6 match at No. 4 singles before Brady Weems clinched the overall match 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 at No. 3 singles.
“Tyler’s win really gave us some breathing room and was a big factor in the victory,” Trivett said. “Gavin had a total grinder of a match and he fought like a champ. Brady’s win was very hard fought to clinch the match.”
GIRLS
University High 4, Alcoa 2
Lily Mefford cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win at the No. 1 slot, but it was a struggle most of the way for the Bucs to tame the Tornadoes. Jordan Havert at No. 2 and Kaylee Degennaro picked up wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles. Havert had to dig deep to win the first set 7-6 (7-4) and then held serve to take the second set 6-3. Degennaro had an easier time 6-2 in her first set, but had to battle two win 7-5 in the second set.
Alcoa took two singles matches with Sophia Villanueva falling 2-6, 6-4, 4-6 as she experienced cramping in the third set. Priya Lewis fell 4-6, 0-6 in her No. 5 singles match. It forced doubles where Degennaro and Villanueva clinched the overall match with a 9-7 victory.
Trivett, credited assistant coach Arthur Reid, whose daughter Josie was a state doubles champion at Science Hill, for helping the girls pull through.
“The girls didn’t play their best tennis, but were able to pull it out,” Trivett said. “Arthur’s wife is a Hall of Fame tennis player at ETSU. He’s a phenomenal coach and the kids connect really well with him.”
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