HOBBS HIGH SCHOOL EAGLES

While the Hobbs tennis team didn’t have a first-place finish in any of the events, the Eagles and Lady Eagles combined to win the Paul Baker Invitational on Friday in Hobbs. Hobbs finished the three-team event with 48 points, a point ahead of Clovis and 11 points ahead of Lovington. “I’m disappointed we didn’t get a first-place individual win,” Hobbs coach Travis Eggleton said. “But I’m glad we won it as a team.” In three of the four events, Hobbs finished second. Hobbs freshman Amber Seay finished second to Clovis freshman Jesenia Velez, 6-3, 6- 2, in the girls singles bracket. Hobbs’ Luz Soto finished third, rallying to beat teammate Kristen Bates, 5-7, 6-0, 7-5. Hobbs’ Rebecca Melot won the consolation final over Clovis’ Lexie Bonestroo, 6-1, 6-3. In girls doubles, it was the Lovington duo of Nikki Kerby and Rebecca Frazier defeating Hobbs’ Kristie Melot and Lotte Haverkorn in the final, 6-2, 6-1. Darien Pruitt and Marisol Ramirez combined to win third while Lovington’s Kaitlynn Crow and Jacinda Hatfield defeated Clovis’ Meera Shah and Alison Ebel, 6-3, 6-4, in the consolation final. In the boys singles final, Clovis’ Andy North defeated Hobbs’ Bryan Loflin, 7-5, 6-1. Lovington junior Jacey Kidd finished third, beating Hobbs’ Josh Ponce, 6-0, 6-2. Hobbs’ Bryan Montgomery defeated Clovis’ Nate Carter in the consolation final, 6-2, 6-2. In doubles, the Lovington duo of junior Jacob Lovelace and freshman Cameron Crawford came from behind to beat Clovis’ Seth Zarate and Charlie Sharp, 4-6, 6-0, 7-6. In the consolation final, Jeremy Polacek and Alex Jackson of Hobbs defeated Daniel Capps and Mario Aragon of Lovington, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6. While Eggleton said he’d like to have seen his team win an individual title, he hopes this tournament leaves some of his players hungry when district starts Tuesday at home against Carlsbad. “Sometimes losing a few matches can be a good thing heading into district,” Eggleton said. “Hopefully it will make them work that much harder.”