Sometimes, the breaks do not fall in your favor.

That was the case on Wednesday afternoon for the Saint Ignatius varsity tennis team. In a rocky match against a highly competitive Massillon Jackson team, the Polar Bears came out on top, 3-2.

The loss ends the Wildcats' Ohio Tennis Coaches Association (OTCA) Tournament run, but not the team's season. The 12-2 Tennis Cats still have the OHSAA Tournament to look forward to.

The contest went well for the Cats in singles play overall. But for one of the first times this season, Arjun Brahmbhatt suffered a loss in No. 1 singles. The sophomore experienced a 6-3, 6-3 setback to a difficult opponent. 

Brian Zhu righted the ship with a victory at No. 2 singles play for the Cats. The senior earned a 6-2, 6-4 win, one of many for Zhu this season. His freshman counterpart, Nate Day, also took care of business at the No. 3 slot. Day captured a dominant 6-3, 6-0 over his foe from Jackson. 

The difference on Wednesday was doubles play. The Wildcats fought valiantly, but could not win either match.

The dynamic duo of Richie Hofstra and Jack McNally battled hard at No. 1 doubles, but ultimately received a 6-3, 7-5 defeat. The Wildcats also saw bad luck at No. 2 doubles. Thomas Deucher and Jack Showman drew a 6-4, 6-2 loss in another war of a match.

The loss certainly stings for the Wildcats, but it does not end what has been a truly special season. The Tennis Cats conclude the regular season on Monday. Hudson will host the Wildcats for a 4:30 pm showdown. 

The Tennis Cats will take part in the OHSAA Sectional Tournament on Tuesday, heading down to Oberlin College for a full day of tennis. The action will continue next Friday and Saturday at Oberlin. 

JV Update: Guided by Nick Siciliano, the Wildcats have a 7-2 record overall. The JV squad last played on Tuesday, defeating Lakewood, 4-1. The team will end its season on Friday, May 11 at Shaker Heights.