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Tennis Cats Off to a Solid Start at Districts

By Joe Ginley, 05/18/18, 12:00PM EDT

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Brian Zhu combined with Arjun Brahmbhatt for a win in doubles.

A packed field at the District Tournament has led to some wins and some losses for the Saint Ignatius varsity tennis team at the Springside Racquet & Fitness Club in Akron.

Through two rounds of tennis, the Wildcats have five players still alive heading into Saturday's finals. Each of the five have a chance to qualify for the State Tournament next weekend. 

The day began with a win for the Cats. Jack McNally captured a win in singles over Alex Payiavlas of Warren G. Harding in the first round, 6-4, 6-2, to advance to the second round. Unfortunately, the Wildcats' other singles player, Drew Barclay could not follow suit. The junior lost to a tough challenger from Solon, Kavi Jain, 6-2, 6-1. 

Both Wildcats' duos earned victories in the first round. Arjun Brahmbhatt combined with Brian Zhu for a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Jason Tucker and Michael Stefen of Massillon Jackson. Nate Day and Richie Hofstra then won a dramatic 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 contest to move onto round #2. 

Brahmbhatt and Zhu ran into a difficult foe in the second stanza. The Wildcats' talented duo matched up with David Tullett and Sam Yurak of Mayfield, falling 6-1, 6-1. The two will face Revere's doubles team of Raj and Ram Kumar for a chance to go to States. 

Day and Hofstra also suffered a defeat in the second round. The freshman-senior duo battled hard but lost to University School's doubles squad, 6-3, 6-4. Day and Hofstra will face either North Canton Hoover or Walsh Jesuit for a chance to qualify for the State Tournament. 

McNally completed the day for the Wildcats with a tough defeat to Brunswick's Adam Slomski, 6-2, 6-3. McNally will also have a chance to head to States, as the junior will face Solon in a playback.

The action continues on Saturday for the Tennis Cats.