By Dave Lumia
The Patagonia Lobos will close out their most successful tennis season since 2019 when they host Tombstone on Thursday.
The Lobos improved their season record to 6-4 on Monday, soldiering through red-flag winds, intermittent rain and the absence of two players for a 5-4 victory over Benson. Junior Alex Ruskowitz clinched the victory with a 6-0, 2-6, 10-8 win over Isaac Garcia at No. 3 singles.
Patagonia had to forfeit three points for lack of players but won three of four singles matches — by Ruskowitz and seniors Jaxon Yslava and Lenin Albarran — and swept both doubles matches that were contested: Yslava and Albarran at No. 1 and Ruskowitz and Skylar Sanchez at No. 2.
The Lobos are ranked 22nd among 47 schools in Division III – no small feat considering that enrollment in Division III ranges upward to 900-plus students.
The 2019 Patagonia team finished its season ranked 22nd with a 6-4 record.