CLARA CITY -- The Worthington boys' tennis team improved to 2-1 in the Southwest Conference and overall with a 5-2 victory over host MACCRAY Friday afternoon.
Despite dropping the Nos. 1 and 2 singles matches, the Trojans stormed back to claim victories at Nos. 3 and 4 singles and swept the doubles matches.
At No. 1 singles, WHS' Danny Penaredondo had his hands full with MACCRAY's Mitch Kremin. Penaredondo won the first set, 6-2, but was edged 7-5 in the second and lost the third set, 6-3.
Trojan No. 2 singles player Alex Stewart also had a rough go of it, facing the Wolverines' Mike Ammermann. Ammermann knocked off Stewart in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.
"Danny started off strong and faded a bit, and Mitch stepped it up," Worthington head coach Mike Marquardt said. "I'm very confident that the next time these guys meet, Danny will do well.
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"Alex played one of his better matches of the season, even though the score doesn't reflect it," Marquardt added. "Alex moved the ball well, but Mike came up with the big shots when he needed to."
The Trojans bounced with a victory at No. 3 singles, as John Shepherd won a three-set marathon against MACCRAY's Jonas Larson, 7-5, 6-7 (7-3), 6-2. Worthington's Nezir Barden followed with a 6-2, 6-3 No. 4 singles victory over Tanner Brouwer.
"John hit a bit of a wall in the second set of his match, but came back with a strong tiebreaker to give him momentum heading into the third set." Marquardt said. "Nezir played well in a closer match than the score reflects."
The Trojans dominated the doubles competition, dropping a scant four games over six sets.
The Trojans No. 1 doubles team of Adam Vosburgh and Tim Roos won their match against Macauley Lamber and Ryan Wubben at love, 6-0, 6-0.
Taylor Weiner and Mitchell Benson followed suit for the Trojans with a 6-0, 6-2 No. 2 doubles victory over Lucas Doesken and Gavin Balderas, while Dayton Williamson and David Sorensen closed out the doubles for Worthington with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Nick Kellen and Matt Gunderson at No. 3.
"The doubles were dominant today," Marquardt said. "They took care of business and dropped just a few games."
The Trojans will visit Fairmont Monday before traveling to Pipestone to meet the Arrows on Thursday.
