WINDSOR—The Windsor High School Boys Tennis team has waited since 2007 for another district championship. Their wait ended this year by winning the coveted title by going through the district undefeated against teams of Appomattox Regional Governor School, Franklin High School and Surry High School.

Windsor Duke team members are Kyle Hollowell, Cody Reese, Tom Hogan, Daniel Klausmeir, Ethan Bales, Stephen Hurst and Derek Klausmeir.

On May 16-18, the district tournament was held in Suffolk. Windsor was able to overcome the extreme heat and stiff competition to claim the district tournament championship. Singles play winner was Nathan Salle from ARGS, winning an exciting three set match against Kyle Hollowell. In doubles play, the team of Kyle Hollowell and Daniel Klausmeir defeated Salle and Joel Greenberg of ARGS in a nail-biting thriller. Windsor won the first set by a score of 7-5, and was tied in the second set at 6 all, which required a 7-point tiebreaker. Appomattox Regional’s team jumped out to a 3-0 point lead, before the Dukes’ team steam rolled back by winning the next seven points by a barrage of winners and powerful serves to close out the match.

Windsor Coach Matthew Randall said he has seen tremendous improvement in many of the players’ games, from their serving to volleying and to understanding and improving their singles and doubles strategies.

“This year we added three newcomers to the team, freshmen Ethan Bales and Stephen Hurst and sophomore Derek Klausmeir,” said Randall. “I could not be prouder of their improvement of their tennis strokes and mental game. This group has set a standard of excellence that will be a goal that is pursued each year – win district, win regional and win the state.

Windsor’s next test will be the Regional Finals that will be held Wednesday, May 29 and Thursday, May 30, against Rappahannock High School.

With only one senior, Cody Reese, graduating this year, six of the seven team members will be returning for next year. With the six-year drought over, the seeds have now been sown for future growth and success.

All-district players in singles were: Nathan Salle (ARGS), Kyle Hollowell (WHS), Myron Jefferson (SHS), Ethan Bales (WHS), Cody Reese (WHS), and William Jackson (FHS). All-district players in doubles were Kyle Hollowell and Daniel Klausmeir (WHS) and Nathan Salle and Joel Greenberg (ARGS).

The All-Academic team from Windsor was Cody Reese, Kyle Hollowell, Tom Hogan, Daniel Klausmeir and Derek Klausmeir.