After having momentum work with him most of the season, Bayto Cokrlija discovered how quickly it can turn.

On Wednesday afternoon at the District 11 Class 2A team championships at Cedar Crest College, the sixth-seeded Lehighton boys tennis team never regained the energy it had just two days earlier in its match against third-seeded Allentown Central Catholic. The Indians dropped a 5-0 decision.

On Monday, No. 1 singles player Cokrlija held a 2-1 lead, and his brother — No. 2 singles junior Bekim Cokrlija — was ahead 3-0 before rain forced a postponement.

Unfortunately for the Indians, the momentum didn’t return.

Bayto Cokrlija lost 6-2, 6-4.

“What happened today was a lack of momentum and confidence,” said the senior. “On Monday, I was hitting great shots and getting into my opponent’s head. But having that break from Monday until today wasn’t great for me.

“My opponent was able to reset and get his confidence back, and I wasn’t able to retain mine. I believe I would have won if we didn’t have to stop.”

It didn’t take Indians head coach Cody Schuler long to sense it wasn’t his team’s day.

“I told them before the match that if we won, we’d have to be finished before Saturday,” said Schuler. “Some of them said they had plans over the weekend. We lost the momentum and didn’t get it back. I could tell they weren’t looking to win, and they were done with the season.

“It came down to them. I really wish we could have finished Monday. We were playing well, and I believe we would have been in a good position to win.”

After Bayto fell, Bekim Cokrlija couldn’t complete the comeback in a 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 loss.

“Bayto just didn’t have it today,” said Schuler. “After he lost, we could have been done because our two doubles teams had already lost.

“But their coach let them play it out. Overall, we just weren’t in sync today.”

Senior Isaac Carpenter, the No. 3 singles player, dropped a 6-1, 6-3 decision.

In doubles play, Julian May and Patrick Devitt fell 6-1, 6-0, while Jed Cordes and Dante Kalbach lost 6-2, 6-4.

Along with the defeat, Schuler will also have to deal with the loss of seniors Bayto Cokrlija, Carpenter, May and Kalbach.

“Bayto will be a big loss — his singles play all season helped carry the team,” Schuler said. “Isaac Carpenter also really came on for us, and he’ll be missed.”

Still, Schuler expects Bekim to step into a leadership role.

“We’ll have Bekim back and a few others,” said Schuler. “We had a good season, and we’ll look to grow further. But we play in a tough league, and next year could be challenging.”

Bayto Cokrlija, who will continue his career at Kutztown University, was proud of what he and Carpenter helped build. He also expressed gratitude for Schuler’s guidance.

“I may be a little sad to leave my team, but I’m very excited to start a new chapter at college, where I hope to become part of Kutztown’s tennis program.

“Walking away from a team that my brother, Isaac and I helped build is not easy. I spent four years on this team, made a ton of great memories and learned a lot. Mr. Schuler played a big part in helping me succeed this year. I wish I could have brought home a district title, but not everything goes your way.

“I hope next year I get to watch my brother win one. I believe he has amazing talent and will be a great player.”