A cold court and a tough team confronted the Saint Ignatius varsity tennis team on Monday afternoon.

The Wildcats went toe-to-toe with Shaker Heights at Magnificat High School on perhaps the coldest day of the season. All things considered, the Tennis Cats aced the test with flying colors.

The Red Raiders handed the hosts their first match loss of the year, but the Wildcats walked away with the overall team win, 4-1.

The No. 1 singles match set the stage for a gritty match between two stout squads. Arjun Brahmbhatt faced State contender Wilder Geier in a primetime match to start things off. Brahmbhatt captured the first set, 6-4, before Geier fought back with a 6-3 win to set up a decisive third set. Brahmbhatt and Geier needed overtime, and in extras, the Wildcats' sophomore star emerged with the 7-6 win. Brahmbhatt is out to a great start this year. 

Brian Zhu faced an easier job in the No. 2 singles spot, rolling to a 6-2, 6-1 win to stay undefeated on the year. Drew Barclay then earned another "double bagel" at No. 3 singles with a 6-0, 6-0 win.

The Wildcats' lone loss came at the No. 1 doubles match. Sans Richie Hofstra, Jack McNally worked with a new partner in Kenny Li. The duo did start off strong against Gavin Miller and Isaac Weiss with a 6-3 win. But then the Red Raiders fought back and won the next two sets, 6-4 and 6-0. 

As per usual, Thomas Deucher and Jack Showman took care of business at the No. 2 doubles spot. The pair did need three sets, but still did the job – 7-5, 2-6, 6-3. 

Peter Nichols and Arul Mehta also snagged an unofficial win in a No. 3 doubles match, winning 6-4, 6-3.

As a whole, head coach Bobbe Bennett was pleased with the win. 

“Great team win today," Bennett said. "This was a tough match outside with the cold temperate. I’m proud of how we fought until the end and scraped out a win.”

The now 7-0 Tennis Cats will return to action on Tuesday, traveling south to play North Canton Hoover at 4:30 pm. The Cats return home on Thursday to host Avon Lake.