The Madison County boys’ tennis team’s resurgence continues.
The Raiders (5-4) outlasted Clarke Central 3-2 Tuesday, moving to 4-1 in subregion play.
“The boys played the match of the day,” coach Keith Strickland said.
The Raiders have won four of their last five matches.
With the score knotted at 2-2, Blaise Bolemon — a freshman just recently off the disabled list (broken wrist) — lost a tight first set (4-6), but rebounded to take the final two sets (6-4, 6-2) to lift Madison County to the victory.
“Blaise held up better under the pressure than his senior opponent,” Strickland said.
The no. 1 doubles team of Jake Scarborough and Chris Dove lost just one game in beating their opponent in straight sets (6-0, 6-1). Connor Hancock and Josh Dooley won their match in straight sets as well (6-1, 6-4).
“Both doubles teams took the court and played with confidence and took their matches fairly quickly,” Strickland said.
Marcus Bowen had his hands full at no. 1 singles, losing to Josh Smith, a player from Australia who’s ranked no. 5 in his age group.
Jeffrey Branson played well at no. 2 singles, according to Strickland, but lost narrowly.
Prior to beating Clarke Central, Madison County fell 4-1 outside of region play to North Oconee.
The Raiders’ lone win came at no. 2 doubles with Hancock and Dooley winning 6-2, 7-6.
Things went much better four days earlier when the Raiders won four matches in straight sets to rout subregion foe Cedar Shoals 4-1 March 19.
Branson and Boleman provided victories in singles action, with Boleman rallying from a 4-0 deficit in his first set to win his match.
Madison County swept doubles play with wins from the teams of Scarborough and Dove and Hancock and Dooley.
“The one thing we discuss at the beginning of every match is the importance of taking charge early and gaining the upper hand for the next time we see an opponent by winning as cleanly as possible,” Strickland said. “However, at this point we must also be dedicated and focused and not become too complacent and take anything for granted. We still have to work for everything we get.”
