After winning a fierce, 3-set District XI Class 3A boys doubles tennis semifinal, Freedom seniors Noah Rodburg and Eric Wu were awarded silver medals after playing in the district final on May 1 at Lehigh University.

“Both seniors, fantastic careers at Freedom, they competed hard, they played an amazing semifinal match, I’m proud of them, and it’s been a pleasure to coach them,” said Freedom coach Matt Potts as he presented the Patriot duo their medals.

Rodburg and Wu entered the district doubles tournament as the No. 2 seed and won their opening round match against Emmaus’ Caleb Brashear and Ayden Kegley, 6-1, 6-2.

The Patriot pair went on to win their quarterfinal match against Southern Lehigh’s Alex Ahnert and Saam Bozorgnia, 6-4, 6-3.

In the 2 hour, 35 minute semifinal against Nazareth’s Gideon Knowles and Vanish Singhai, Rodburg and Wu dropped the first set, 5-7, won the second set in a tie break, 7-6(3), and won the third set, 6-4.

“It was long and grueling, but we recouped after being down the first set and restarted,” said Wu. “We kept on doing what we were doing, being aggressive, keeping the balls in and playing our game.”

After a 20 minute break and 10 minute warm-up, Rodburg and Wu faced Emmaus’ Chris Stone and Nick Stone.

The players traded six games to a 3-3 tie, and Emmaus won the next three to win the first set before winning the second set, 6-2.

“They served well,” said Rodburg. “They played good doubles and crossed very well. They made it difficult for us to stay comfortable.”

Rodburg and Wu, as well as the rest of the Patriot tennis team will compete in the District XI Class 3A Team Tennis Tournament this week.