With the weather starting grim, varsity tennis was unsure if matches would happen. Luckily, the team managed to fit in games against the Portage Central Mustangs. The boys varsity tennis team has come off multiple strong meets in the last few weeks, and this dominance was shown against the Mustangs.

Portage Central has been a recent addition to FHC’s region, so this match was new for many players, such as junior Philip Murdock. 

“It was a pretty big match all around,” Philip said. “The team worked through multiple rain [delays] to secure a sweep.” 

Philip speaks for his whole team when discussing this matchup’s importance. This sweep will assist the high morale of this team, and its momentum will ramp up after head coach Dan Bolhouse discusses the team’s goals for the season. Coach Bolhouse has the exact expectations for his players as they do for each other. 

“Our goals are to win the OK white, our regional, and a state championship,” Coach Bolhouse said. “We lost some great seniors who anchored our doubles lineup. They are hard to replace, but our returning players have worked hard and are stepping up.”

Senior Chris Shang was another massive component of this sweep of Portage Central. After his performance, he joined the team on its hot streak.

“I felt good after my match since I played much more relaxed than the previous ones this season,” Chris said. “I think our team did well to pull through on a couple of close matches. Overall, an 8-0 sweep of a top team in our region is a great confidence boost.”

With the same determination across the team, the boys are still fighting for that deep playoff run. The group begins a hot streak by adding a sweep of Portage Central into that determination. The team competes next at home when the boys will take on multiple opponents within their FHC/FHN invite on Saturday, August 27.