The Person High School boys’ tennis team grabbed its first win of the season by defeating the Hillside Hornets, 6-3, in a Piedmont Athletic Conference match Wednesday at the Person courts.

The Rockets (1-8 with the victory) swept the singles contests

Johnnie Lea’s tiebreaker win was the crucial victory, as he fought back after losing the first set to emerge victorious, 6-2 (10-7). No. 1 player Corey Bowes defeated his opponent, 6-1, 6-1, while Michael Tompkins won a tough contest at the number two spot, 6-3, 6-2.

The other singles winners were third-seeded B.J. Gooch (6-1, 6-2), No. 4 Eric Meeler (6-0, 6-0), and John Granholm (6-2, 6-2).

The doubles matches didn’t go as well for Person. But according to head coach Mike Barrett, the players received valuable match experience.

Meeler and Travis Chambers, Gooch and Chad Campbell, and Andrew Parker and Dustin Davis played well but lost by identical 8-4 margins.

“We continue to improve,” said Barrett. “I particularly like the fact that we have won four tiebreakers in singles matches this year. That shows real grit and determination to perform that well under pressure.”