It feels like a new day is dawning for the Tamaqua girls’ tennis program.

Off to one of its best starts in over a decade, the Blue Raiders recorded their third win of the young season on Tuesday against an always formidable Jim Thorpe team, 3-2.

It all came down to the final match still on the court between No. 2 singles players Jenna Fernandez of Tamaqua, and Keira Reese of Thorpe. The pair slugged it out gamely in a two-hour and 21-minute frenzied nail-biter before Fernandez finally figured out a way to come to the fore.

After splitting the first two sets, a third-set super tie-breaker finally settled things with Fernandez puling out a 6-4, 1-6, 10-3 victory.

“Wow, that was a great match, both girls were so competitive, and both wanted to give their team the win,” said long-time Raider coach Rich Gibson. “It is the first time we beat Thorpe in a long, long time.”

It was nerve racking for sure, and absolutely tense.

“Oh my goodness, was that a long match,” Gibson said. “It’s one of those things that nobody deserves to lose.”

It surely had all the fans’ eyes, and the players on both sides on the edge of their seats. When it finally ended, Fernandez raised her racket and ran off the court to be greeted by her happy teammates.

“That’s how it goes, it was a really good match,” said Jim Thorpe coach Sam Lux. “Give credit where credit is due. She (Fernandez) deserves all the credit, especially after the way she lost (6-1) in that second set.

“The level of play never dropped off. It was all about building momentum, and Fernandez did that in the tiebreaker. It was a credit to her the way she battled.”

Thorpe’s Ashlyn Miller claimed the win at No. 1 singles, dispatching Emily Antonio in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1. But Tamaqua’s August Stinson reversed the tables on Jim Thorpe’s Aida Finch with an impressive 6-0, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles.

“August did a really nice job for us,” Gibson pointed out. “She’s been having a pretty nice season for us so far. The win there allowed us to stay in the match.”

The doubles matches were split between the two squads. The Jim Thorpe No. 1 team of Chole Tartula and Diamond Alvear upended Gabby Eroh and Bradyn Brothers, 6-2, 5-7, 10-6.

Tamaqua took No. 2 doubles as Bri Snyder and Jasmine Eberts swept Thorpe’s duo of Noelanie Sepulveda and Anjali Chiulli, 6-0, 6-2.

“I loved the way we hung in there throughout the match,” Gibson said. “It was a hot day, and it was long for the girls on both sides.”

RECORDS … Tamaqua is now 3-2 on the season, while Jim Thorpe falls to 1-3..

Tamaqua 3, Jim Thorpe 2

SINGLES

Ashlynn Miller (JT) def. Emily Antonio 6-2, 6-1; Jenna Fernandez (T) def. Keira Reese 6-4, 1-6 (10-3); August Stinson (T) def. Ada Finsel 6-0, 6-4.

DOUBLES

Chloe Tantala/Diamond Alvear (JT) def. Gabby Eroh/Bradyn Brothers 6-2, 5-7 (10-6); Bri Snyder/Jasmine Eberts (T) def. Noelanie Sepulveda/Anjali Chiulli 6-0, 6-2