For almost a decade, the Cypress Bay boys' tennis team has tormented its Cooper City counterpart.

Every time the two sides have faced each other in the playoffs in the recent past, the Lightning has prevailed -- including in the 2008 district tournament, which catapulted Cypress Bay to the 4A state title.

But if ever there was a year to snap the skid, this was it. The Lightning lost its top four players to graduation. And Cypress Bay's top returning player, Carl Eguez, had to transfer to Cooper City because of redistricting.

Redemption came Tuesday. Finally, in the District 11 tournament, the Cowboys broke through, taking the crown by an aggregate score of 19-16.

And they did so even with Eguez falling to former teammate Luis Elizondo in the No. 1 singles final 7-5, 6-3.

Thanks to wins by its second, third and fourth seeds and both doubles squads, Cooper City exorcised years of frustration at Weston's Midtown Athletic Club.

''It's been a long time coming,'' said Cooper City coach Chris Tully, whose team remained undefeated on the season. ``This year we finally got over the hump.''

The most-watched -- and best-played -- match was the No. 1 singles showdown between sophomores Elizondo and Eguez. Billed by Tully as the best high school tennis around, they didn't disappoint.

The bigger, stronger Eguez looked to overpower his opponent, but Elizondo stayed patient and frustrated Eguez with swift backhands. After taking the first set, Elizondo broke Eguez at 3-3 and never looked back.

''My game plan was to hit to his backhand and have no unforced errors,'' said Elizondo, 15, who has played since he was 8. ``It was a matter of who could stay strong the entire match.''

For Eguez, it was the first two sets he lost all season. He beat Elizondo in an eight-game pro set when the teams met earlier this season.

''When Carl came to us, it changed our team,'' Tully said. ``We wouldn't be competitive without him.''

RESULTS

• Cooper City 19, Cypress Bay 16: Luis Elizondo (CB) won No. 1 singles, def. Carl Eguez (CC) 7-5, 6-3; Philippe Pierre-Antoine (CC) won No. 2 singles, def. Joe Dorsey (CB) 6-3, 6-3; David Kellerher (CC) won No. 3 singles, def. Eric Pino (CB) 6-0, 6-2; Ruben Pierre-Antoine (CC) won No. 4 singles, def. Rodrigo Lessa (CB) 7-5, 6-0; Alex Calle (CB) won No. 5 singles def. Dani Flasterstein (CC), 6-1, 6-2; Eguez, Kellerher (CC) won No. 1 doubles, def. Elizondo, Dorsey (CB), 7-6 (7-5), 6-1; P. Pierre-Antoine, R. Pierre-Antoine (CC) won No. 2 doubles, def. Pino, Lessa (CB), 6-4, 6-2.

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