Broadneck struck yet another blow for parity among the county's tennis ranks with yesterday's 5-4 triumph over previously unbeaten Arundel.
The host Bruins, catching the Wildcats (4-1) after their 5-4 win over Old Mill Monday, created a logjam in the county standings.
Old Mill stands at 4-1, while Broadneck and Severna Park have 3-1records.
In singles action, Broadneck's Wade Berusch downed JasonKasselman, 6-1, 6-2, to keep his record unblemished at 5-0. Wildcat Jen Whitley also won in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, over April Quigley.
"I was not ready for this heat," said Berusch of the warm, breezy conditions. "I didn't try to do too much, especially on my serve. I tore my rotator cuff back in September, so I was just trying to get the ball in on my serves, then I tried to hit it a little harder as I went along. I think I hit pretty well though."
Despite losing just one game, Whitley said her match was a little closer than the score indicated.
"April was pretty tough. I had to stay back on the baseline because she had some good passing shots, and she'd also lob it upin the sun," said Whitley (4-0 singles, 1-0 doubles), whose toughestmatch to date was a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over South River's outstandingfreshman Priya Vajani.
In the No. 2 boys match, Arundel lefty Matt Durose outlasted Josh Jeffords, 6-4, 7-6. Jeffords had taken a 4-0 lead in the second set, but Durose got back on serve at 3-4 -- takinggame point with a marathon three-minute rally.
Broadneck's No. 2 girls singles player Jessica Parks beat Jen Beers in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, while the Bruins swept the girls doubles.
In No. 1 doubles, Melanie Earle and Leah Schmidt tripped Alina Smith and Nicola Rust, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, while the No. 2 girls duo of Amy Castelano and Jen Baker turned back Mary Pat Fannon and Laura Novak, 7-6, 6-4.
Broadneck's No. 1 boys pair of Mike Smith and James Bae was victorious overAndy Tuma and Jay Gelman, 7-5, 6-2, while Arundel's Pat Sullivan andDavid Townsend took a 6-4, 6-0 win over Kevin Fritz and Josh Good.
In mixed doubles, the Wildcats' Ryan Eckenrode and Lindsay Toser were taken to three sets before trimming Judi Tucker and Jonathan Smith, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.