Clayton Boys Tennis Team Wins Back-to-Back State Titles
The Clayton boys tennis team made history last year by winning their first-ever state team title after 18 attempts. This year, they proved it was no fluke as they captured the Class 1 team title once again with a 5-1 victory over Bolivar at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.
The Greyhounds faced a tough challenge from the Liberators, who won one of the three doubles matches to start the match. However, Clayton rallied back with wins at No. 1 doubles from Spencer Pompian and Tyler He, and at No. 3 from Class 1 individual champions Joe Major and Ruben Haroutounian.
Major and Haroutounian also secured victories in the singles matches, along with Pompian, who finished second in singles in the individual tournament.
Coach Mark Borst, who was coaching for his 17th and final season, praised his team for their hard work and dedication throughout the season. The Greyhounds finished with a 20-2 record, the most wins in Borst’s career, with a pivotal victory against John Burroughs being the turning point of the season.
Senior player Deaver expressed his joy at going out on a high note, stating, “This is probably going to be my last tennis match so it’s great to go out with a bang.”
In Class 3, Pembroke Hill secured their record 22nd team title and their third in a row with a 5-0 win over John Burroughs. Despite the loss, John Burroughs coach Anne Sutter praised her young team for their resilience and competitiveness throughout the season.
Overall, it was a thrilling weekend of tennis with Clayton and Pembroke Hill emerging as the top teams in their respective classes.