ARLINGTON — This season has presented a number of “firsts” for the Eagles on the tennis court.

The initial meeting between Arlington and Snohomish this season, for example, produced the Eagles’ first win in school history over the Panthers. And the Oct. 7 match produced the Arlington’s first season sweep of Snohomish.

“This was huge for us,” said Arlington coach Shawn Cunningham about his team’s 5-2 Wesco Conference outcome. “Our guys really stepped up and did something that we’ve never done before. I have a lot of respect for Snohomish — I’ve told the coach that his program is what I try to emulate. They are super disciplined and they may be having a down year, but they’re Snohomish.”

With the win, Arlington (9-4) takes possession of second place. Realizing his team was the underdog, Snohomish coach Matt King moved his top two singles players, Chase Anderson and Jared Anderson, to the No. 1 doubles team, theoretically giving him an advantage in the three doubles matches, as King’s former No. 1 doubles team would play Snohomish’s No. 2 team.

“It’s a good strategy — when it works,” Cunnningham said. “I was nervous coming into today’s match because I thought he might do that.”

But what King didn’t count on was the depth of Arlington nullifying his strategy, as the Eagles won the other two doubles matches and clinched victory with gutsy performances throughout.

“We all battled today,” said senior No. 3 singles player Marty Thordarson, who defeated Garat Grant 6-3, 6-0 to remain perfect this season at 13-0. “Most of us have been together for a few years and it’s a great feeling to see it coming on in my senior season.”

Cunningham said the difference from 2008’s 3-10 finish to this year’s surge is an attitude of not giving up, which was on display against Snohomish. Number two singles player Austin Taylor came back from being down 0-3 in the first set and 0-4 in the second to winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 over Dominik Schrock.

“He just kind of has to warm up,” Cunningham said. “It’s a testament to his mental game. A lot of players turn it off after being down 0-3, but he feeds off that.”

Cunningham also praised his No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams, which are both 10-3 this season, for playing some of their best tennis all season. The team of Josiah Aylesworth and David Taft-Farren defeated Luke Martinson and Zach Martinson 6-4, 6-4 and No. 3 doubles Matt Peiffle and Brent Thompson bested Zach Mratin and Josia Perron 6-2, 7-5. Also winning was No. 4 singles player Eric McElroy over Carlos Videla-Pousa, 6-1, 6-3.

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