Freshman Jack Madison rips a forehand. (Riley Hennessey’20/Media staff)

Academy’s boys tennis squad hoped to improve its record with four matches this past week. Though unfavorable weather cut their busy schedule in half, the Vikings stayed hot and won both of the remaining challenges given to them.

CA was slated to play Dublin Jerome and Wellington on Tuesday, April 16, and Wednesday, April 17, respectively. Due to harsh, freezing conditions, the match against the Celtics was cancelled outright, and the latter was postponed to a future date.

The Vikes resumed action on Thursday, April 19, as they hosted arch-rival, Bexley. Academy won 4-1 against the Lions, only dropping its first singles court. Freshman Arie Tuckerman put forth a valiant effort, but fell 6-4, 6-2. Meanwhile, junior Suriya Sundaram bested his opponent 6-3, 6-0 in second singles, and freshman Jack Madison won his third singles court, 6-0, 6-1. The first doubles team of junior Drew Haffer and senior Sam Vogel topped its opponent, 6-3, 6-1, and the second doubles pairing of freshman Ryan Wahl and senior Harry Zaye emerged victorious after a tough battle, winning 3-6, 6-2, 1-0.

The following day, Friday, April 20, the Vikings traveled to St. Charles and narrowly triumphed over the Cardinals, 3-2. Tuckerman and Sundaram were both defeated after tough battles on the first and second singles courts, respectively. Madison again trounced his opponent on the third singles court, 6-0, 6-1. Haffer and Vogel conquered their first doubles opponents, 7-6, 6-0, after an incredible comeback in the first set, and Wahl and Zaye rounded out CA’s victories with a 6-0, 6-0 shutout on the second doubles court.

The Vikes enter yet another four-match week. They will host Hilliard Darby on Monday, April 23, and travel to Grandview Heights on Tuesday, April 24. They will then return home for a match against Pickerington North on Wednesday, April 25, before a road battle with Olentangy Orange on Thursday, April 26.