Revenge is sweet in Brookline win
BOYS TENNIS
Brookline got a taste of revenge yesterday, and it could not have been more rewarding.
The South champion avenged its lone blemish on the season, toppling North champion Lexington, 3-2, in the Division 1 boys tennis state semifinal at Newton North High School.
The Warriors (20-1) were beaten by Lexington by the same score on May 1.
“It feels awesome,” said Brookline coach Nick Pero. “We knew we had to schedule them to see how we matched up. It was a total result of the process that started last fall when we made the schedule so it feels good all that thought and energy paid off.”
Lexington (22-1) cruised at No. 2 singles as Griffin Posey put up a 6-0, 6-2 decision over freshman Noah Schwartz. From there, it was all Brookline. Nationally ranked freshman Sam Feldman controlled play at No. 1 singles for a 6-1, 6-1 victory. Sophomore Kei Ogawa, who did not play singles in the first meeting, came through with a key win at No. 3 singles 6-4, 6-2.
“He has been pestering to play singles for the last year and a half,” said Pero, who did not grant Ogawa’s wish until after the May 1 loss. “He knew he had pressure, he knew he had to win the match, and he came through. That says a lot about him.”
Almost simultaneously with the conclusion of Ogawa’s match came the final point needed for Brookline. Ben Moolman and Aaron Fleishman sealed up the tiebreaking set 7-2 to the sound of thunderous cheers.
The trip to the state final marks the first since 2004 for the redhot Warriors, who have conceded just two points during their postseason journey.
Winchester 4, Duxbury 1 — The year was nearly perfect in every sense of the word for Noah Criss. But it wasn’t quite complete.
Then the senior capped a legendary career with a victory in first singles, 6-0, 6-1 as Winchester captured the Div. 2 EMass title by beating Duxbury at Newton South.
“He lost one match the entire season,” coach Lucas Parrau said. “He lost in the individuals tournament. He won all the other matches. He’s had the greatest performance ever. And he’s a senior, so we’re going to lose him. But it was great for his last season.”
It was the second title in the past three seasons for the Sachems (19-2), both coming against the Dragons. Noah’s brother, Eli, won a dramatic second singles, 7-5, 6-3. Will Hofheinz and Grant Andrews got Winchester going by taking first doubles 6-2, 6-0. Owen Sullivan and Mark DeMichaelis closed the day with victory in second doubles 6-3, 6-0.
Duxbury (17-6) was propelled by Jake Bettencourt, who rallied to beat Alex Dickinson in a tiebreaker at third singles 3-6, 6-1,10-6.
Parrau was an assistant coach when Winchester won it all two seasons ago. This one brought a wave of joy.
“Having these guys, it’s awesome,” Parrau said. “They’re really great kids, really great players . . . . So we’re very happy, we’re really happy.”
Weston 4, Dover-Sherborn 1 — It took a resilient group of players, but Weston will look to defend its state title.
After losing the first set in all five matches, Weston rallied to take down Dover-Sherborn at Lexington High.
Weston (15-5) junior Masaki Nawa had the match-deciding point with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over senior Lucas Minas, but it was the match between senior captain Isaac Gorelik and the individuals state champ, senior Max Schuermann, that was the best of the contest. Gorelik lost the first set 4-6 and was down 0-3 in the second before rallying for a 6-4, 10-6 victory.
Both doubles went into third sets with Jacob Gilligan and Alex Chaoul winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 and Arda Cataltepe and Tim Pesek taking the second doubles 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.
Dover-Sherborn (19-1) notched its lone point at third singles as Dan Pomahac beat Josh Li 7-6 (3), 6-0.