STA boys drop 2nd in a row for the first time all season.

The St. Thomas (8-4) boys tennis team fell to Lebanon (7-2) at Dearborn Park on Thursday afternoon.  The final score may have been 7-2 but there were a number of close matches that could have gone either way.  After dropping #1 and #2 singles, sophomore Jake McGuire put the Saints on the board with an impressive 8-6 victory in the #4 spot.  McGuire continues to provide STA with big wins time and time again.  Junior Jack Benelli also provided the Saints with a big point as he picked up the 8-6 victory at #6 singles.

STA would then go on to drop match defining points at #3 and #5 singles.  Sophomore Owen Himmer and Senior Hayden Blaisdell had a few chances to pick up big victories but would eventually go on to fall 6-8.  4 of the 6 singles matches ended 8-6 meaning the game score could have easily been 3-3 or 4-2 in the Saints favor.  Unfortunately STA would head into doubles down 4-2 needing all 3 victories.  

#1 and #2 doubles weren't as close as coach would have liked but he knew he could depend on his steadiest pairing of McGuire and junior Baxter Kimball.  The duo fought hard but would go on to lose their very first match of the season 6-8.  The #3 doubles team was 7-0 prior to this match.  Falling 7-2 doesn't look good on paper but the match easily could've been a 5-4 win for the Saints.  Lebanon was a tough team and provided a very good test for the Saints as they head toward their playoff push.  The 2nd straight loss doesn't feel good for the Saints but they are hoping the way the playoff seedings shake out that it ends up being a blessing in disguise.