The Fort Dale Academy tennis team is in full swing after a pair of victories against Pike Liberal Arts at home Monday afternoon.

The FDA girls swept the visiting Pike Lib girls team 7-0, though the FDA boys had a nailbiter on their hands as the series came down to a pair of tiebreaker sets.

Fort Dale’s Nate Richardson redoubled his efforts after dropping the his first set by winning the second round, forcing a tiebreaker set in the process.

Richardson then mounted a 10-5 victory in the third and final set to give the FDA boys the narrow 4-3 victory.

Fort Dale assistant tennis coach Cindy Gaston said that the atmosphere surrounding the boys’ match was suspenseful.

“This was a win that we definitely needed.  I was very proud of them,” Gaston said.

Though the battle with Pike wasn’t a region game, matches against non-region opponents can count toward the road to the state tournament in the event of a tie.  Furthermore, the game is valuable experience against strong opponents for a fledgling Fort Dale boys team whose players are quickly coming into their own.

“They’ve been working really hard, and they’re improving every day,” Gaston said.

“They have great attitudes, and they’re really trying.”

Fort Dale will face its next test on the road against Monroe following spring break on Tuesday, March 29.