Junior Pierce Westbrook is one of eight players heading to regional competition on April 15 & 16.

Jesuit’s tennis team is heading into regional competition next week as a decided underdog to district champion Brother Martin.

The Jays dropped a 6-1 decision to the Crusaders back on Tuesday, April 2. Juniors Wes Melito and David Webster picked up the only win in that contest on Line 3 doubles.

Regardless of the outcome of the regional rematch, both schools will then head to Monroe as decided underdogs to two-time defending champion Catholic High of Baton Rouge.

It’s an unusual spot for the Blue Jays, who had claimed nine straight state championships before Catholic broke the Jays’ stranglehold three years ago.

“We’re used to having the target on our backs,” said head coach Travis Smith. “And there’s a lot of pressure that goes with that. Being the underdog allows you to play a bit more freely, and that’s what we’ll be doing.”

A junior heavy squad will take to the courts at the Pepsi Tennis Center in City Park on Monday, April 15, on a quest for a regional upset. The team’s top three players, juniors Jojo Sandoz, James Henican, and Sid Trouard, will be joined on the regional roster by fellow juniors Pierce Westbrook, Wes Melito and David Webster. Senior Dexter Webster and sophomore Nick Crockens round out the eight-man regional squad.

State will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 26 & 27 on the campus of the University of Louisiana-Monroe.