Opening the 2025 season with a road match Monday at Waynesville, the Houston High School tennis team was swept 9-0.
In doubles competition, the duo of senior Connor McKinney and junior Jack Sandberg were blanked 8-0 in the No. 1 match, juniors Maggie Wolfe and Kaleb McGiboney lost 8-1 in the No. 2 match and juniors Riley Wilson and Gavin Altman fell 8-3 in the No. 3 match.
In singles, McKinney came up just short in the No. 1 match, 8-6, while Sandberg lost 8-1 in the No. 2 match, Wolfe was shut out, 8-0, in the No. 3 match, McGiboney fell 8-2 in the No. 4 match, Wilson fell 8-0 in the No. 5 match and Altman went into extra time before being defeated, 9-7, in the No. 6 match.
In JV matches, HHS junior Halie Hamilton lost 4-1 in singles, while Nola Smith and Elijah Jones lost 4-1 in doubles and Hamilton and Smith won 4-1.
Houston is a member of Class 1 District 5, while Waynesville is in Class 3 District 4. The Tigers opened the 2024 season at Waynesville, with a similar result.
“We were more competitive than last year in some spots,” said HHS head coach Josh McKinney.
Next week, the Tennis Tigers host Salem on Tuesday and travel to Salem on Thursday for a three-team competition including Willow Springs.
Houston’s first home match is set for April 8 against Licking.
