FRANKLIN—In a match that was much closer than the final score indicated, the Windsor High School boys’ tennis team defeated Franklin High School 8-1 Friday afternoon in a Tri-Rivers District match.

The match featured winds blowing about 20 mph and the two teams battled through six three-set matches, including five tie-breakers.

“I’ve never remember this many tie breakers,” said Windsor head coach Tom Michael. “It was a close match and we were able to pull off all the close ones.”

The Dukes (2-0), who went to the state team playoffs last year, have been battling through losing four players from last year’s squad.

Dustan DeMello, who played third doubles last year for Windsor, is now the first singles player. DeMello pulled off a 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 win over Joseph Benn.

At second singles, Windsor’s Scott Van Eck, who was Windsor’s No. 5 player last year, downed LaVonte Perkinson 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.

Nick Balice continued the winning streak for Windsor with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Josh Rose.

At fourth singles, Windsor’s Dorain Myers came from behind to defeat Juan Winstead 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-3.

Franklin’s lone win came at fifth singles, when Chris McNeal defeated Bryce Lawrence 7-6 (7-0), 6-4.

Windsor’s sixth singles player, Zach Stenger-Hayden beat DeAndre Taylor 6-2, 6-2.

Windsor swept the doubles matches. At first doubles, DeMello and Van Eck came from behind to down Benn and Rose 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Second doubles saw Windsor’s Balice and Myers beat Perkinson and Winstead in a tight match, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

In the third doubles match, Lawrence and Stenger-Hayden also came from behind to drop McNeil and Javarius Warren6-7 (4-7), 6-1, 6-2.

Although the Dukes picked up the win over Franklin, Michael said his team is in a rebuilding year and the match set for Tuesday’s against Appomattox Regional Governor’s School could be the toughest in the Tri-Rivers District.

“They are the ones that should be favored in the district. They have everyone back from last year,” he said. “We split with them last year and beat them 5-4 in the playoff to win the district.”