Marco Island Boys Tennis Team Rallies to Defeat Immokalee

Things were looking grim for the Marco Island Academy boys’ tennis team when they emerged from their first four singles matches down 3-1 to Immokalee on Wednesday, March 29, at the Racquet Center courts. MIA’s only hope was to win their final singles match and sweep their two doubles matches. The scrappy Rays did just that, turning the tables on the Indians with pro set wins at both one and two doubles and pulling out a two-set win in the number five singles spot.

"I was so proud of our team’s ability to keep fighting as the match progressed,” said Zach Wolfe, first-year head coach. "At one point, we were down 3-1 with a singles match and two doubles matches remaining. Troy Morales and second doubles team Andres Rodriguez and Everett Bullock both won, bringing our match score to 3-3. Our first doubles team of Blake Dickson and Zach Benarroch was down 5-1 and came back to win 8-6. As a coach, these are the moments you live for.”

Wolfe singled out freshman Dickson for praise.

“I have to give a shout-out to Blake Dickson,” Wolfe said, “for his ability to play smart on the big points and reading the court perfectly. I am excited to see him progress over the next few years in tennis.”

The win evens the Rays record at 2-2. Immokalee falls to 8-5. The Rays finish the season on the road with matches against Palmetto Ridge on Tuesday and Golden Gate on Thursday.