(Arie Tuckerman’21 winds up for a forehand. (David Cooperman’20)

The Columbus Academy boys tennis team won its first two matches of the regular season, beating Hilliard Darby and Upper Arlington.

Over spring break, the Vikes traveled to Florida for some spring training and a bonding experience. While there, they fell to Bolles High School in a preseason match.

To open the regular season, the Vikings headed to Hilliard Darby on Wednesday, April 3. Academy ran away with this match, winning all 5 courts easily.

The Hilliard Darby match served as a tune up for the Vikes before their home opener against Upper Arlington the next day, a team ranked #5 in Division I.

Despite losing the first set and falling behind early in the second to UA’s senior Paige Kompa, sophomore Arie Tuckerman fought back and won the first court 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Academy senior Suriya Sundaram took on junior Emerson Dean for the Bears at second singles, and won in two sets: 6-2, 7-5.

At third singles, sophomore Jack Madison took on senior Nick Gruss. Madison dominated en route to a 6-1, 6-3 victory.

The Vikings’ strong performance at singles earned them a 3-2 win as a team, due to both doubles teams falling.

Academy has a packed week coming up and will look to remain undefeated, as it faces Worthington Christian at home on Tuesday, April 9, followed the next day by matches against Pickerington North away, and topping their week going against Whitehall-Yearling away on Thursday, April 11.