Four-time defending state champion Baylor girls (7-3) claimed the doubles point and then won four of six singles to defeat visiting GPS, 5-2, Friday in a non-region match.
The two teams meet at GPS May 5 which will count in the D-II Middle/East Region standings.
Marquee Match at No.1 singles
In a battle of old friends with high quality ground strokes, it came down to the mental aspect of the game as Baylor sophomore Drew Hawkins posted a straight set win against freshman Maddox Bandy, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-5).
While there were 12 service breaks – six in each set - there was plenty of long rallies as both 15- year-olds looked for an opening.
First Set: Hawkins gained the break in the opening game, but Bandy broke back in the fourth game and held in the fifth for a 3-2 lead.
Both players served for the set – Bandy at 5-3 and Hawkins at 6-5 – but neither could close out the set.
Key Game: Serving at 4-5, Hawkins lost the first two points, but then won four straight to even the set at 5-5.
At 0-2, Hawkins won 16 of the next 25 points (including the tie-breaker) to win the set.
Tie Breaker: Hawkins jumped out to a 3-0 lead and won 7-2
Second Set: Hawkins won 12 of the first 15 points and led 3-0, including a break of Bandy’s serve in the second game.
The two big hitters traded breaks in games six and seven and Bandy found herself serving to stay in the match at 2-5.
The Bruiser then won four straight games, including breaking Hawkins who served for the match in the ninth game leading 5-3. Serving at 4-5 Bandy faced a 3-3 match point against her and held.
Bandy gained another break and served for the set at 6-5 and won the first two points, but Hawkins dug in and won four straight to force a second tie breaker. Hawkins quickly led 6-2, but this time Bandy dug in and won three straight points before Hawkins won the 12th and deciding point for the 7-5 tie-breaker victory.
A hug at the net showed good sportsmanship by both players, knowing they will meet several more times in this long standing rivalry before they graduate.
“It was a tough match, but I was able to stay mentally strong,” said Hawkins. “We have been hitting partners or playing against one another since the age of six so we know each other’s game real well.”
Bandy, who picked up a racquet at the age of three and was playing tournaments by the age of eight, also pointed to the important mental aspect.
“In the second set I found myself trying too hard to beat the other person on the other side of the net instead of staying within myself and focusing on my game.
“I need to work more on my mental toughness.”
Last Match: No.5 singles closed out the match as Ellie Edwards (GPS) and Lilly Mooney (Baylor) found themselves in a long, third set 10-point, tie-breaker.
Mooney was up 6-2, but Edwards won four straight for a 6-6 tie. At 7-7, the server then lost six straight points as each player served at match point. Edwards’ first match point came at 9-8, while Mooney had match points serving at 10-9 and again when Edwards served at 10-11.
Edwards won the final three points, including breaking Mooney who served for the last time at 11-12.
No.4 Singles: Lauren Carlelli and Ali West also played a deciding 10-point tie breaker as Baylor's Carelli captured the final three points to win 4-6, 6-3, 12-10
"We had some close matches today and hopefully we can get the win in May in the region match,” said GPS coach Sue Bartlett.
Baylor coach Dustin Kane said, “It was nice to get the win and we had some good performances and we also learned what we need to work on.”
Baylor 5 GPS 2
Singles
Drew Hawkins (Bay) def[. Maddox Bandy, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-5)
Jennie McBrayer (GPS) def. Ashton Jenne, 6-1, 6-1
Presley Thomas (Bay) def. Maggie Eslinger, 6-0 6-0
Lauren Carelli (Bay) def. Ali West, 4-6, 6-3, 12-10
Ellie Edwards (GPS) def. Lilly Mooney, 6-7 (7-5), 7-5, 13-11
Landie McBrayer (Bay) def. Kate Thel, 6-4, 6-1
Doubles
Hawkins-Hannah Kleban (Bay) def. Bandy-Jenna Thorstonsen, 8-5
Thomas-Jenne (Bay) def. McBrayer-Stratienko, 8-1
Mooney-Carelli (Bay) def. Eslinger-Thel, 8-5
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@Comcast.net