FAIRVIEW — Warren’s girls tennis program picked up its first win over Fairview in close to 20 years with a 3-2 win Thursday.

“This match was like a rollercoaster with so many ups and downs, but we were able to come out on top,” Warren head coach Tom Pellegrino said. “We knew going into this we absolutely had to win the doubles and our girls locked it down.”

Second singles Mackenzie Lester beat Hannah Nichols 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 for the Dragons’ lone singles win to wrap up the victory.

“Up 6-5 Mackenzie broke her opponent’s serve to win the set 7-5 and the team match overall,” Pellegrino said. “This is the second time this season the match has come down to Mackenzie and she clutched up yet again.

“This girl hits a different gear when she’s under pressure. She fought for every single ball every single point and had a killer mentality,” Pellegrino added. “This is the best match I have seen her play all season and it came when we needed her the most.”

At first doubles, Madalynn Perry and Sydnie Cochran topped Kailynn Burns and Mia Laquinta 6-3, 6-3.

“These two started a little slow in the first set … but as soon as the Fairview fan base started getting into it, they used it as energy and never looked back,” Pellegrino said.

Izzy Heacox and Sophie Olson picked up the second win for Warren with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Olivia Erwin and Delaney Goklein at second doubles.

“Izzy and Sophie had to dig deep today against a resilient Fairview team that defeated us early in the season,” Pellegrino said. “After falling 3-4 in the third set, our girls managed to go on a hot streak and get three games in a row to close the set and match.”

At first singles, Fairview’s Trinity Fox beat Sydney Govoni 6-1, 6-2. At third singles, the Tigers’ Allie Mahoney beat the Dragons’ Iris Kiehl 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Ashley Plank teamed up with Tasha Ferry and Grace Carr teamed up with Elliott Striker for jayvee doubles victories for the Dragons.

Fairview beat Warren 4-1 earlier this season at Betts Park.

I have never seen this side of the girls until the match today. They were cheering each other on up and down the court, pumping themselves up after hitting winners or winning big points” Pellegrino said. “Our girls overcame adversity, and a large and loud Fairview fan base.

“Fairview had a large crowd trying to get in our girls’ heads, but it complete backfired,” Pellegrino added. “Our girls used it as fuel and motivation to push them through the matches. The louder the fans got, the better our girls played.”

Warren returns to action Saturday at Grove City, currently in first place in Region 1.