Wildcats Finish 9-6; Vargas, Johnson Continue Play
Facing a talented Monticello squad, the Rockbridge County High School boys tennis team concluded the team portion of its season with a 5-0 home loss in the first round of the Region 3C tournament on Friday afternoon in Lexington.
Due to rain, the match took place at the indoor Duchossois Tennis Center at Washington and Lee University.
The seventh-seedeed Wildcats finished with a record of 9-6, going 9-5 in their first year in the Shenandoah District, while third-seeded Monticello improved to 9-6. In the Region 3C quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon, the Mustangs will play at second-seeded Wilson Memorial (12-1).
RC head coach Scott Youngdahl noted that, even though the Wildcats were the higher seed, the Mustangs compete in the Jefferson District, which has the defending Class 3, 4 and 5 state champions. “They’re just very solid and well coached,” said Youngdahl of the Mustangs.
Youngdahl said his No. 1 singles player, sophomore Joe Vargas had a “really good first set,” falling 6-4 to Jackson London, but “it went downhill from there.” London won the second set, 6-1, to finish the match. The only Wildcat to win a set was sophomore Elliott Allen at No. 6, and he led Trenton Walker 7-5, 1-3 before Monticello won the No. 5 match to seal the win.
Of his team’s performance, Youngdahl said, “We were competitive in spurts.” Vargas and senior teammate Jaxon Johnson will compete in the Region 3C doubles tournament, scheduled for today, Wednesday, and Thursday in Lynchburg. In addition, Vargas will compete in the regional singles tournament.
Monticello 5, RC 0
SINGLES – Jackson Landon (M) d. Joe Vargas (RC) 6-4, 6-1; Eamon McElfresh (M) d. Jaxon Johnson (RC) 6-1, 6-0; Max Kofler (M) d. Dean Fafatas (RC) 6-0, 6-3; Andrew Spinelli (M) d. Tyler Watson (RC) 6-1; 6-1; Bryce Medley (M) d. Rachit Yakkanti (RC) 6-1, 6-1; Elliott Allen (RC) led Trenton Walker (M) 7-5, 1-3.
