Freedom High School's boys tennis team may be becoming more used to close calls than they ever wanted to, after winning three, 4-3 matches so far this season.

One of those matches, against Central Catholic, came down to a number one doubles match for Ross Sonnenblick and Doug Leeson. Sonnenblick referred to that victory as miraculous. For Leeson, it was an upset.

Either way, the Patriot pair had to come back from a loss in the first set to not only win their match, but the match for the whole team.

"We stuck to our game plan and didn't let [Central] control the pace," said Sonnenblick.

That match brought the whole Patriot team together in a big way.

"The team cheered and supported us. It electrified us. But at the end of the day, I was just thinking about the overall win," Leeson said.

Leeson is Freedom's number three singles player this year, having played doubles last year.

"It's been pretty much what I expected. Most three singles players in the league are consistent. The actual playing of singles is easier. Mentally, it's not because you're locked in yourself," said Leeson.

Sonnenblick is Freedom's number two singles player this year, having played number three singles last year.

"At second singles, you see people who hit harder. It's really about drilling the ball," Sonnenblick said.

Three days later, Sonnenblick rethought those statements after two more 4-3 Patriot victories, one against Nazareth and one against Bangor.

"It's definitely consistency," he said.

In Freedom's win over the Blue Eagles, Sonnenblick dropped the first set, and was down 4-1 in the second set before defeating Calvin Carpenter, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.

"I was actually starting to feel guilty in advance. I guess I just dug deep, and I wasn't aimlessly putting the ball in play. He was really consistent. Honestly, I was just relieved [afterwards]. It was quite exhausting. It was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders," said Sonnenblick.

Later, Sonnenblick teamed up with number one singles player, Andrew Sinai, to put away the Patriots' match at number one doubles.

"It was considerably easier. Sharing the court with Andrew is really freeing. If I screw up, I know he will come up with a miraculous shot," Sonnenblick said.

Sinai, a junior, is the defending district champion.