Freedom and Bethlehem Catholic faced off on the Patriots’ tennis courts last Friday when the Pates maintained their undefeated season, winning 4-3 over the Golden Hawks.

Weather conditions were less than favorable for either team, fighting against 40 mph wind gusts and some rain.

“I couldn’t serve at all, and I couldn’t hit backhands,” said Freedom’s number one singles player Noah Potts, who won his match against Armaan Makwana, 6-4, 6-0. “I take a little more risks than I did last year, but I really don’t like outdoors. It doesn’t suit my game. Outdoors, I can’t get to the net as quick, and it’s harder to volley. I just can’t attack as well.”

Makwana, who has only lost two matches this season so far, had the same weather-related problem on Friday.

“It completely threw off my rhythm with serving and everything,” he said. “We’d have to stop in between shots. It just threw everything off, but I’m being consistent and making smarter decisions this year.”

Freedom’s Arun Chhugani won at two singles, 6-2, 6-0, against Anthony Barczynski, and Gavin Labaddia won at three singles for the Patriots, 6-0, 6-0, against John Vallance.

“Armaan’s had a great season so far,” said Becahi coach George Harmanos. “Against Parkland, he had a match point and couldn’t convert it, and had a great match against Emmaus. Anthony’s done a really good job at number two. We have a young player at number three (Vallance) who’s hardly played any tennis at all, but he’s been competitive in all his matches.”

Becahi won at two doubles with Dan Smith and Holland exchange student Callen Kok taking three sets against Noah Bautista and Noah Rodburg, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, and at three doubles where Xavier Shive-Sanchez and Joshua Maruscak won 6-3, 6-4 against Tyler Malitzki and Luke Braido.

“I think we’re a little bit ahead of where I thought we would be,” said Coach Harmanos. “We’re getting really good doubles play. Last year, doubles was our weak spot, so overall, we’ve had good doubles matches.”

Freedom won at four doubles with Rohit Chinnawar and Matthew Davis over Benjamin Blum and Tyler Lennert, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

“We’re playing well,” said Freedom coach Matt Potts. “We have a couple very good freshmen in the doubles lineup, and Noah had a really good off season and has gotten much better.”

Two weeks ago, the Patriots scored a signature win over Southern Lehigh, sweeping the Spartans 7-0, the number one ranked team in the District XI power ratings.

“Yes, Southern Lehigh is historically one of the best teams, and they’re good this year, and we played pretty well,” Coach Potts said.