After surprising themselves by earning a slot in this season’s MIAA Central Division 3 playoffs, the eighth-seeded Trojans were narrowly beaten in the first round, 3–2, by the ninth-seeded Sutton Sammies (9–9 season record) Wednesday, June 6.
First doubles player Tom Khuu throws his weight into a blistering first serve.
Both Bromfield doubles teams won their matches, though narrowly, as in the case of the first doubles team of sophomores John Parlee and Tom Khuu, who won their third set in a 10–7 tiebreaker. First singles junior Charlie Bardenheuer lost to Sutton’s Noah Sylvia, a top seed in Central Division 3, but did threaten him mid-match. After losing the first set, 4–6, Bardenheuer battled back to win the second, 6–4, only to drop the final tiebreaking set 1–6.
“Going into the season, our expectations were low,” first-year coach and 2011 Bromfield graduate Ryan Holmes told the Press. Most of the boys who had been on the team in previous years had never experienced a winning season, he said. “Thanks to the work done by the previous coach, David Bobruff, and to offseason training, the team was in a good spot to take a huge leap forward.”
David Sampson returns a forehand. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Bardenheuer, Parlee, and Tom Khuu were chosen as Mid-Wach League Division C all-stars. It was Khuu’s first year on the team, noted Holmes. Prior to the 2018 season, Khuu had never played competitive tennis or taken a formal lesson, Holmes wrote in an email. “He is a remarkably coachable player, who used his strong athleticism and soccer skills to progress quickly. … His aggression while playing at the net helped him and his partner be one of the toughest doubles teams in the district.”
Co-Captains Bardenheuer and junior Jake Catalina played first and second singles throughout the year,” Holmes said. “The team was fortunate to have two players of similar skill at the top two positions. The boys were great leaders … in their attitude and winning play.”
The boys finished the season with a 10–8 record and tied for second place in the Mid-Wach League Division C, the team’s first winning record in years. Holmes said the team is well positioned to be “a force” in the MIAA Central Mass. Division 3 in 2019. With all 12 players returning, and the addition of other strong players, he said, “A league title and another playoff berth will be the goal.”
Results
1st singles: Sutton def. Charles Bardenheuer, 4–6, 6–4, 1–6
2nd singles: Sutton def Jake Catalina, 2–6, 6–7
3rd singles: Sutton def. David Sampson, 2–6, 0–6
1st doubles: John Parlee and Tom Khuu def. Sutton, 5–7, 6–2, 10–7
2nd doubles: Parlee and Khuu def. Sutton, 6–2, 6–2
