The Mathews High School tennis team came back into full swing last week, beating 2A Bruton High School, 8-1, on Tuesday, March 21.

MHS top-seeded player Maddie Brown faced off against Olivia Garcia and won, 8-1. Madelyn Johnson, who played at number two, battled Alexa Woolson winning, 9-7, with her strong serve and powerful backhand.

At number three, Chloe Sanderson combined backspin and topspin, and crushed opponent Maysen Elliot, 8-2. Fourth-seeded Sarah Brown played against Caroline Slack and won, 8-3, by using lots of topspin and hard, untouchable overheads. 

At number five, Ali Haynes breezed 8-0 through her match against Ellie Mailack. Number six Avery Betz fought hard against her opponent, Jessica Russel. It was a very close and well played match; however, Betz lost, 8-4.

In doubles, Maddie Brown and Johnson played their match against Garcia and Woolson. With Brown’s forehand and Johnson’s backhand, the duo dominated with an overall score of 8-2. Playing at two doubles, Sanderson and Sarah Brown battled against Caroline Slack and Sara Little. The combination of Sanderson’s groundstrokes and Brown’s net play helped then clinch their win of 8-1. At three doubles, Ali Haynes and Caroline Evans fought a terrific battle against Mailack and Russel. Their match went until dark and a malfunction of the court lights prevented them from finishing. At the time, Haynes and Evans were up, 7-4, and both of the team’s coaches determined that it was a win.

In exhibition play, Kate Casper and Alex Mills won their doubles match, 8-0.

Last Thursday, the Lady Devils traveled to Poquoson High School. Mathews battled the 3A Bull Islanders losing 8-1.

The only victory for Mathews came in second-seed doubles, where Sanderson and Sarah Brown played a match against Michelle Legan and Hanna Yi. The MHS girls were very patient and kept the match very close, resulting in a 9-8 game score. A 12-point tie-breaker then took place; Sanderson and Brown really came together in these moments and dominated and won the tie-breaker 7-4.

In exhibition, Casper and Betz won 8-0. Kate Casper also played exhibition singles, and lost 8-4. This past Monday, the Blue Devils hosted the New Kent Trojans.