The Central boys tennis team recently played its first matches and has high hopes for the upcoming season.

In practice the tennis team has been emphasizing speeding the ball instead of pushing.

The unpredictable spring weather caused problems only a week into the season. Due to rain and cold weather, the team lost nearly a full week of practice as well as two matches.

On returning to play, the team played three matches back to back. The first two were lost to Glendale and Hillcrest.

“We need to practice a lot, but still enjoy it and have fun,” said tennis coach Maria Amato.

Last Wednesday, despite the two previous losses, Central made a huge turnaround and defeated Catholic, 6-3.

Sophomore Colin Knoth, Junior Nick Otradovec, and seniors Cameron Murdaugh and Aaron Brown all won their matches against Catholic giving Central a 4-2 lead going into the doubles rounds where Central defeated Catholic in two of their three doubles matches.

Overall, team morale is high and the players have their sights set on winning many more matches this season. “We’re pretty confident,” said Brown. “I think we can do better this year, and achieve a lot more.”

“The win against Catholic really motivated them and it boasted their confidence,” said Amato. “For next year we will be better prepared for the competition.”