LINDEN — The Fountain Central Mustangs boys’ tennis team is riding high after defeating North Montgomery on Monday by a score of 4-1.
The visiting Mustangs started all their matches strong by winning all five of the first sets.
“I was really pleased with how we played in all of our first sets,” Mustang Coach Chris Webb said. “We came out aggressive and played well.”
Charger Cade Cole won three games in the first round against Mustang Ayden Batchelor.
Charger Coach Devon Plant had the opposite feelings about his squad.
“We just got off to a slow start and did not seem ready to go,” Plant said. “We showed the same attitude at McCutcheon on Saturday.”
Plant did compliment Cole who battled Batchelor but lost 6-3. 6-3. Several of the games were close.
“Cade is always ready to go,” Plant said. “He loves to compete, and he did tonight again.”
North Montgomery’s No. 3 singles player Dane Elliott won his match against Eli Sowder 6-0, 6-0. The junior’s victory earned a compliment from Plant.
“It was good to see Dane play well,” Plant said. “He seems to be getting more confidence as the season goes along.”
The second set was more competitive, and Webb complimented the North players.
“After the first set, North made some adjustments and changed the way they were playing us,” Webb said. “Hats off to North Montgomery because they made us adjust as well.”
North Montgomery’s No. 2 doubles team of Keaton Brown and Cayden Keller performed much better in the second game. After losing the first set 6-1, the Chargers lost the second 7-5 to Mustangs William Armstrong and Jose Duarte-Grajales.
Fountain Central’s No. 1 singles player, Gave McCollum, defeated North’s No. 1 Beckett Martin 6-1, 6-2.
In No. 1 doubles action, Mustangs Levi McTagertt and Levi Miller beat Carter Thompson and Austin Biddle 6-1, 6-2.
Plant said playing good teams like Fountain Central is good for his team.
“Fountain Central is a good program and I look forward to playing them each year,” Plant said. “This type of match helps prepare us for the upcoming schedule.”
The Chargers hosted Covington on Tuesday and will play at Greencastle on Thursday. Fountain Central will participate in the Seeger Invitational on Saturday.
