Heading into their match against Lake Braddock, the boys tennis team had hoped to continue their early regular season success. The team, however, was unable to build on its 2-0 start, falling to the Bruins in a 0-9 sweep.

This scenario was all too familiar for the Atoms, who started their 2010 season with two easy victories before being swept by the Bruins. This year began in a similar fashion, with a 9-0 blowout of Robert E. Lee and an 8-1 victory over West Potomac.

“We played pretty well against a very talented and experienced Lake Braddock team,” senior Erik Morton said. Morton remained optimistic about the loss, as the team was without its number three player, senior Luis Parrada. “We should be able to do much better next time,” Morton said.

Despite the tough loss, the Atoms are off to a bright start this year and look to be successful throughout the remainder of season. Two of the team’s losses last year came at the hands of the Bruins, which means that the Atoms are likely to finish with a winning record if they continue to play as well as they did in 2010.

“We should be able to win most of our team matches for the rest of the regular season and finish second or third in the district,” Morton said. “Then we would advance to the district and regional tournament.”

Sophomore Dylan Gore also believes that the Atoms will be able to continue their early success.

“The whole team is playing great and improving everyday, so I think we should make it to regionals.”

Head Coach Mike Scott took a similar outlook on the season so far and the matches yet to come.

“Everyone has gotten better and we’d like to continue to improve,” Scott said. “If we keep working hard, we’ve got a good shot to make the playoffs.”

Hard work seems to be the key for the Atoms, as the team lost two of its top six players from last season. However, should the Atoms continue to work hard and improve daily, the team should be able to overcome these losses. Then, the team should be able to establish itself as a district competitor with its sights set on a berth in the regional tournament.