Bulldogs’ big day in doubles paces team in win over Farmington

The Notre Dame Bulldogs used a hot start in doubles to beat the Farmington Knights 8-1 on Monday at Notre Dame Regional High School.

The Bulldogs started off on the right foot in doubles with the top pair of Charlie West and Matthew Austin winning their match 8-6.

“Our plan is to win the doubles,” Bulldogs coach Donna Ryan said. “Then, you don’t have to work as hard in singles.”

After West and Austin’s win, the second pair of Eli Youngblood and Owen Blattel won their match 8-4.

With Farmington still in striking distance and Notre Dame’s third pair of Blake Schreckenberg and Michael Bogdanovich trailing big in their match, they mounted a comeback to win the match 9-7 and push Notre Dame’s lead to 3-0.

“It made us feel really good,” Ryan said.

In singles, Notre Dame was paced by Charlie West who won his match 9-7.

“In singles, I got an early lead but then he was really taking it to me,” West said. “I got a little lucky to close it out.”

Ryan said West has an unpredictable style to his game that she feels is very unique to him.

“You never know what to expect from Charlie,” Ryan said. “He’s always got something new to pull out of his hat and he hits shots sometimes he doesn’t even know he can hit.”

West, now in his junior season, is coming off a year where he won the Semoball award for boys' tennis player of the year, and he feels he’s even more comfortable this season.

“I just try not to put too much pressure on myself,” West said. “A lot of these players are really good so anything can happen.”

Matthew Austin won his singles match 8-3, Eli Youngblood won his match 8-3, Owen Blattel won his match 8-4, and Blake Schreckenberg won his match 8-3.

Notre Dame (2-0) has a quick turnaround as the Bulldogs travel to Arcadia Valley tomorrow, March 28. The Bulldogs will also play in the SEMO Conference Tournament on Friday, March 31 in Cape Girardeau.