Carlson Beale returns a forehand in the second doubles match. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
The Bromfield boys tennis team lost the state championship to Weston on June 18 at Clark University. The team ended the year with a record of 19-5 overall and 8-0 in the Mid-Wachusett Division 3 league.
First doubles took the only win of the day as James Bowling and Ryan Holmes beat Duncan Van Nest and Tyler Pescek 6-3, 7-6 (4). First singles player Tyler Phelan was bested by Weston’s Will Spector 6-0, 6-1 and third singles Luke Broganer fell to Matt Gorelik 6-3, 6-2.
Bromfield did not give up the title easily, as both second doubles and second singles pushed their matches into a third set. The second doubles team of Carlson Beale and Matt Colony put up a fierce battle against their opponents, Nick Preacher and Max Legocki of Weston, finally falling short, 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-3. Moments later the match ended when second singles Drew Banker surrendered a tough match to Jason Mazzella by a score of 4-6, 6-2, and 6-3.
The team was congratulated for their fine play and sportsmanship by State Tournament Director Bill Gibbons, who said that in his 60+ years he had never seen such a competitive match in which the level of play was surpassed only by the sportsmanship of the players. Without any seniors on the team, Bromfield is well-positioned for another strong year in 2011.
Left: Ryan Holmes (left) and Luke Broganer show off the second place Division 3 trophy. Right: Tennis players gather around Coach John Carver as he opens a thank-you gift from the team. Left to right are Ryan Holmes, Luke Broganer, Matt Colony, Jamie Authier, Tyler Phelan, Drew Banker, Matt Zimmer, Josh Zimmer, James Bowling, and Phil Stapleton.
First singles player and team co-captain Tyler Phelan (center) opens a going away gift from his teammates. Phelan will be attending the Groton School in the fall.
