Baylor faces MBA for boys' tennis title

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

photo Baylor's Zach Moore winds up to return the ball to an opponent during Spring Fling in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Tuesday. Staff Photo by Jake Daniels, Chattanooga Times Free Press

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Unfortunately for Baylor, its boys' tennis team wasn't at full strength Tuesday in the semifinals of the Division II-AA state tournament.

Unfortunately for Memphis University School, it didn't really matter.

The Red Raiders steamrolled the MUS Owls 4-1 to advance to today's final, where they will meet Montgomery Bell Academy with a state championship on the line for the second consecutive season. MBA's Big Red defeated McCallie 4-0 on Tuesday.

Baylor's win was the only one for Chattanooga-area boys' tennis teams. In Class AAA, McMinn County's season came to a close with a 4-0 loss to defending state champion Brentwood, while in Class A/AA, Arts & Sciences' first-ever trip to the state tournament ended at the hands of Christian Academy of Knoxville, also by a 4-0 score.

Baylor senior Michael Goldstein was unable to make the trip because of a "violation of school policy," according to director of tennis Ned Caswell. Eighth-grader Jack Gray stepped in Goldstein's place and claimed a straight-sets victory at No. 5 singles.

Eric Roddy claimed the match-clinching victory, defeating Colin Donoghue 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.

"We came into the match today with a chip on our shoulders," Roddy said. "Our mentality was regardless of who we had, we were going to put the ball in play and let anything happen.

"I'm glad our guys stepped up. Most of our matches could have gone either way. I'm just glad they went ours."