The Wayland boys’ varsity tennis team took a 5-3 victory over O-K Gold Conference rival Cedar Springs Wednesday night at their home courts.

While the Redhawks were short in two flights, they still made it a tough match, taking wins against Wayland at first, second and fourth singles. However, the Wildcats prevailed by staying strong at fourth singles, with Austin Graham continuing his phenomenal season, and the first doubles team of Andrew Hinds and Cam Sieffert pulling through.

It all came down to the second doubles team of Christian Haveman and Chase Robinson, in a grueling, three-set, 3-1/2 hour match that featured two tie breakers to decide the first two sets.

“The team battled back and forth with Cedar Springs, making good shots, making errors, but staying together as a team as they neared the end of the third set,” explained coach Ben Adams.

Leading 5-4 in the third set, Wayland’s Chase Robinson was serving for the match.

“After double-faulting on the first point, Chase settled in and focused on getting his serves in,” Adams said. “At 40-15, Chase ended the match with a blistering first serve that the Redhawks could not return!  A fantastic end to a roller-coaster match that started at 4:15 and ended at 7:30.”

Wayland travels to Comstock Park today to continue theimarch toward the O-K Gold Conference tournament.