MIA Boys Stage Dramatic Comeback

The Marco Island Academy Rays were trailing Gateway Charter 3-2 when the number five singles match and both doubles teams took center stage Friday afternoon at the Marco Island Racquet Center courts. When the dust settled, the Rays pulled out an exciting 4-3 win for their season opener.

“I am so proud of our boys,” said Zach Wolfe, who was coaching his first match as head coach of the Rays. “We have a lot of young talent that I am looking forward to see blossom as the season continues.”

The first four singles matches were decided in tiebreakers. In number one singles, MIA freshman Everett Bullock won the first set, 6-3, before dropping the second set, 6-2, and the tiebreaker (4-10). Junior Andres Rodriguez won the first set in number two singles, 6-3, before dropping the second set in a tiebreaker, 6-6 (4-10), then falling 7-10 in the deciding tiebreaker.

Zach Benneroch took the number three singles 7-5, 2-6, (10-7). Troy Morales dropped the number four singles, 2-6, 6-1 (1-10).

The Rays needed to sweep their final three matches, the number five singles and both doubles matches. And they did. Freshman Blake Dickson won the number five singles match, 6-4, 6-4. Bullock and Rodriguez took the number one doubles, in an 8-5 pro set. Benarroch and Morales won the number two doubles, 8-6.

The Rays host Village School on Monday, March 6, at the Racquet Center.