FREMONT – Following her team’s season-opening victory over Clyde on Monday, Ross girls tennis coach Lisa Wolfe said changes were coming to her doubles lineup, which lost both of its matches against the Fliers.
Sophia Biggins
Berlin Swaisgood
True to her word, Wolfe revamped the doubles portion of her lineup for Wednesday’s match against Slyvania Southview, a first-round match in the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association team tournament, and the Lady Giants responded.
The doubles rebounded in a major way, winning both flights and proving to be the difference in the Lady Giants’ 3-2 win over Southview.
Ross will advance in the OTCA tournament to play TRAC rival St. Ursula in a match on a date to be determined.
At No. 1 doubles, Sophia Biggins and Berlin Swaisgood, who played doubles together much of last season, reunited to win in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5.
Emma Jahns
Vivyanna Esquivel
“I knew that Berlin would be wasted at that spot (No. 3 singles),” Wolfe said. “I knew (Southview) had a weaker No. 3 singles, so I wanted to beef up the No. 1 doubles, which Berlin and Sophia would be that choice. They’re best buds and sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t, but, for them, it works. They did a great job. I was very proud of both of them because those girls at No. 1 doubles were a decent team, for them to hang in there and not have to go to a third set, or even a second set tie-breaker, I was very proud of them.”
At No. 2 doubles, Vivyanna Esquivel and Emma Jahns teamed up, splitting the first two sets, 6-4, 4-6 then winning a marathon super tie-breaker, 14-12 to give Ross the victory.
Lily Abdoo
“They did a fabulous job,” Wolfe said. “Vivyanna is not feeling well right now but she stuck with it and it was great to see. (The tie-breaker) took forever. They did a great job together, the communication was there and that’s all they needed. It went back and forth, back and forth. It was a nail-biter and they ended up pulling it out. I’m very proud of them.”
Along with the victories in the doubles matches, Ross also picked up a win at No. 2 singles thanks a 6-1, 6-1 victory by Lily Abdoo, who rebounded from an uneven performance in her three-set win on Monday.
“She looked great tonight,” Wolfe said. “I gave her a break yesterday from singles play and she helped me out with some doubles and I think every once in a while you need a break from what you constantly are doing. I think that helps and you’re ready to pay some more singles the following day. She did a great job. Southview’s No.1 and 2 were
The Lady Giants return to the court Thursday when they visit Oak Harbor.