March 26, 2025 – One of the challenges with a talented crew is that they are torn in different directions. The confluence of extended travel during Spring Break, academic demands, and flight training schedules meant that the Tigers squared off against the 2024 State runner-up with a minimal lineup and with some new doubles partners. The Tigers responded with good humor and determination as a few players were forced to play significantly above their usual level. The final team score was 1-8 Covenant.
Brady Ball (Senior, Raleigh, NC) played a tight match with several games sitting at deuce before his opponent Robert McCellon was able to tip the balance in his favor. Although the 2-8 score looked lopsided, the telling factor was the length of their match as they battled long after the first singles match was completed.
With a team match decided, the doubles teams fought on against some new faces on the Covenant roster. David Mathurin (Freshman, Staten Island, NY) and Jackson Pino (Senior, Fayetteville, WV) formed an unlikely duo that showed some promise for future matches as they posted the only HMA team point with a score of 8-2 against a determined Covent duo.
The Hargrave Tigers Varsity Tennis team record is now 2-2. They will next welcome Miller School of Albemarle to Hargrave on Friday at 4:30 while their JV brothers travel to Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy (off-site at Bernard’s Landing, Moneta) also at 4:30 pm.
Singles Match Scores
- Brady Ball (Senior, Raleigh, NC) vs. Robert McCellon L 2-8
- Isaac Wadsworth (Junior, San Antonio, FL) vs. Cullen Juge L 1-8
- David Mathurin (Freshman, Staten Island, NY) vs. Neal Nethula L 1-8
- Jackson Pino (Senior, Fayetteville, WV) vs. Reed Verbrugge L 2-8
- CJ Scott (Junior, Harrisburg, NC)) vs. Holden Prichard L 0-8
- Jerry Li (Junior, Sammamish, WA) vs. Benjamin Rapp L 0-8
Doubles Match Scores
- Ball & Wadsworth vs. Prichard & Rapp L 1-8
- Mathurn & Pino vs. Owen Barrett & Christian Chirichetti W 8-2
- Scott & Li vs. Liam Oachs & Stewart Sheham L 2-8
Man of the Match
Jackson Pino (Senior, Fayetteville, WV) was the man of the match for completing his challenging afternoon journey with a good balance of bonhomie and competitiveness to both help himself and his teammates. In his own way, he balanced self-assessment, encouraging others, and did not forget to “work the problem.” After tough singles matches for both himself and his doubles partner, he reset both himself and his partner to lead the way to a Hargrave victory against a determined Covenant duo.
