ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Hub varsity tennis team continued to gain momentum on Monday, scoring a dominant win over Mendota as the Interstate 8 and IHSA Sectional tournaments near.

After defeating both Dixon and Harlem in nonconference play this past week, Rochelle returned to its home courts on Monday and recorded its first full sweep of the season, shutting out the Trojans 5-0 to secure its third win over its last four matches. The Hubs (6-9, 1-4 Interstate 8) will travel to face IMSA on Tuesday evening before facing Sterling Newman on the road Thursday.

Rochelle battled to earn both singles points in Monday’s match against Mendota. Senior Jimmy Chavez fended off Cameron Escatel for a 7-5, 7-5 win at the No. 1 court, while sophomore Philip Winters played a back-and-forth match against Dagen Setchell at the No. 2 court. Winters overcame a close second-set defeat and pulled the third set out to win 7-5, 4-6, 10-7.

“It was a nice feeling because he was a really good player,” said Winters, who’s in his first varsity season after competing at the JV level as a freshman. “It was a competitive match and it was really tiring. We’re starting to get back into better shape… The beginning of the season was hard because I was adapting from being a doubles player to being a singles player, so I had to learn how to control more of the court. My knowledge of ball placement has improved the most.”

The Hubs claimed all three doubles points to secure the sweep over the Trojans. Senior Parker Lenkaitis and sophomore Mark Green turned in a flawless 6-0, 6-0 win against Ben Bresley and Wyatt Sondgeroth at the No. 1 court, while seniors Eli Luxton and Austin Raleigh conceded only two games in their 6-0, 6-2 victory against Alex Holland and Harlan Gallagher at the No. 2 court.

“It feels good to be back on the right track with the conference and sectional tournaments coming up,” Green said. “Our net play seems to be the best right now and [Parker] and I are both able to play at the net and contribute. We’re finally starting to do what we’re capable of.”

Senior Alex McBride and sophomore Caleb Mortensen engaged in a tight battle against Daniel Pierce and Ryder Woods at the No. 3 court. With the sweep on the line, McBride and Mortensen persevered through a first-set defeat, ultimately emerging with a 3-6, 6-4, 10-3 victory.