Tornadoes improve to 4-1 in boys tennis with win over Union County

Telegraph Staff Writer

Bradford High School won its second straight match after its first loss, sweeping the doubles matches and defeating visiting Union County 5-2 in a Feb. 28 boys tennis match.

Gideon Jordan and Calum Butler teamed up to defeat Caleb Zapp and KeAndre Stevens 9-8 (9-7) at number-one doubles, while the Tornadoes’ number-two team of Troy Smith and Nikolas Vargas defeated Parker Johnson and Jack Wells 8-3.

The Tornadoes (4-1) earned a win at number-two singles, with Butler defeating Stevens 8-1, while also picking up victories at number-four and number-five singles, with Hayden Knight defeating Wells 8-6 and Vargas defeating Austin Douglas 8-3.

Union (2-4) had wins from Zapp, who defeated Jordan 8-1 at number-one singles, and Johnson, who defeated Smith 9-7 at number-three singles.

Bradford opened the season with a 4-3 win at Palatka on Feb. 14, with all wins coming in singles play: Butler 8-4, Smith 8-3, Knight 8-1 and Vargas 8-1.

The Tornadoes followed that up with another 4-3 win, defeating host West Nassau on Feb. 16. Smith and Knight had wins of 8-1 and 8-3, respectively, in singles play, while teaming up for an 8-2 win in doubles play. Vargas also earned a win by a score of 8-5.

Vargas earned the only win in a 6-1 loss at Ridgeview on Feb. 21, defeating his opponent 9-8 (7-5).

Bradford bounced back with a 5-2 win over Palatka on Feb. 23 in Starke. Smith and Knight had wins of 9-7 and 8-0, respectively, in singles play, while teaming up for a 10-8 win in doubles. The Tornadoes also got wins from Jordan and Vargas, who defeated their opponents 6-5 and 9-7.