The Pillow Academy varsity tennis team opened its 2019 season with a nail-biting 5-4 victory over a strong Jackson Victors squad on Tuesday in Greenwood.
“I am very proud of our five senior starters today,” said third-year head coach Holly Ann Singh. “Every one of them was victorious and that truly led to this fantastic win.”
Senior Sunjay Chawla overcame an early assault by the Victors’ John Fox. Chawla fell behind 5-2 in the first set before storming back to win 7-5, 6-4 in No. 1 boys singles.
The Pillow senior doubles duo of Floyd Melton IV and Cole Tyler overwhelmed Webster Runnells and Brennan Slade in a 6-4, 6-2 decision. Fellow senior Mari-Brian Crick teamed with sophomore Madison Jefcoat to win in No. 1 girls doubles, 6-3, 2-6, 10-7.
And senior John Hollis Tackett teamed with sophomore Julia Love Lyon to win in mixed doubles 6-3, 6-3.
Dia Chawla, at No. 1 girls singles followed in her brother’s footsteps, falling behind 5-2 in the first set before winning 2-6, 6-4, 10-4 for the final win for the Mustangs.
Eighth-grader John Heston Powers fell to the Jackson Victors’ Sam Williams 6-1, 6-1. Fellow eighth-graders Sumner Tackett and Arnav Thakur fell in No. 2 boys doubles 6-2, 6-2.
Pillow’s No. 2 girls doubles duo of Anne Craig Melton and Elizabeth Powers lost 6-2, 6-2. Ninth-grader Avery McDaniel lost 6-1, 6-1 in No. 2 girls singles.
The Mustangs will be back in action Thursday afternoon in Senatobia against Magnolia Heights Academy.
