It was a first for the girls and a repeat for the boys.
In both cases, those associated with Braden River’s tennis program had reason to celebrate when the boys and girls took home championships from the Class 2A-District 9 Tournament at Wauchula Hardee.
The boys won the title for the second straight season, while the girls took first for the first time in program history.
“We were getting better each year,” said Amy Brush-VanHoof, who helped start the program from scratch when Braden River opened. “The girls really stepped it up.”
It was a bittersweet moment for Brush-VanHoof, who won’t coach tennis nor girls basketball next season after her contract wasn’t renewed.
“It’s kind of tough,” she said.
That said, she still enjoyed Thursday. Junior Lauren Bock won the district at No. 1 singles, sending her to the state individual tournament, and teamed with freshman Aly Derose to win at No. 1 doubles. Bock and Derose earned a state berth, as well.
Sam Glodde, Braden River’s lone senior, and freshman Lauren Thomson won at No. 2 doubles, helping Braden River hold off second-place Sebring, 15-11.
It was a banner day for the boys, as well, who become the first team in school history to win back-to-back titles. Last year, the Pirates won the first team title in school history.
“It was just a really good year,” said coach John Wheeler. “I really appreciate the kids and the parents’ support all season.”
Shagen Babayan and Michael Esteban teamed to win at No.1 doubles, and Esteban earned a title at No. 3 singles for the Pirates. Matt Boles won a district title at No. 4 singles for Braden River.
Boles teamed with Mitchell Margolis to place first at No. 2 doubles.
Babayan and Esteban are on their way to the state doubles tournament, which begins Monday, April 27.
Babayan is a senior and Braden River’s top singles player the past four years. Wheeler said he hopes to continue playing at Florida Gulf Coast.
“We’re really going to miss him,” he said.
Neither team is done — the girls and boys will host regional semifinal matches Tuesday, with the girls playing Tampa Catholic and the boys facing Tampa Jesuit.
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