Varsity Tennis at the New England Junior Prep School Tennis Championship
The top 4 players from the Varsity Tennis traveled to Fessenden on Saturday, May 20 for the New England Junior Prep School Tennis Championship. The Eagles set clear goals for the day to earn an all Eaglebrook Championship final, to earn the team title, and to demonstrate the sportsmanship they have prided themselves on through the season. Through great focus and determination, the team achieved each goal.
John Pope ’19 cruised through his opening match to earn a match up with the Hillside #1 in the second round. Pope showed flashes of superior shot making, but the athletic opponent forced enough extended rallies, and Pope's run ended earlier than hoped.
James Serhant ’18 had demonstrated a focus throughout the prior week seeking practice match ups with our top seeded players. He began the tournament easily upsetting the Roxbury Latin top seed, and continued to out hustle and out shoot his opponents earning a match up in the semi-finals against fellow co-captain and Eaglebrook #1, Alexis Pontones ’18. Alexis, the defending tournament champion, had managed a relatively comfortable route to the quarterfinals were the Fenn #2 took advantage of several of Alexis's uncharacteristic mishits, pushing Alexis to double down his focus. Alexis rallied to win the final deuce point, and the set (6-4), and thus the 1st semifinal was Eagle vs. Eagle. In the most exciting match of the tournament to that point, Alexis and James battled. Each rally was guttural, and each winning shot artful. Serhant had his chance to dethrone Alexis, but the last game escaped him, and Alexis powered through with a 6-4 victory, earning him a return trip to the finals.
Ben Jones ’19 deftly maneuvered through the bottom of the bracket to arrive at the semifinals against the only non-Eaglebrook semifinalist, the Hillside #1. Here Ben was charged with repeating his victory against the noble opponent from earlier in the season, avenging his teammates second round defeat, and in fact managing his years old friendship with his doubles partner from home. In a thrilling 6-2 victory, Ben fulfilled these charges, and arrived in the finals to face his compatriot.
Alexis and Ben have faced of in friendly play throughout the season, but Saturday was their first opportunity to leave it on the court. Extended rallies, acute angles, rifled backhands, nimble volleys, and mutual respect defined the match. In the end, Alexis gallantly passed the title of New England Champion on to his teammate, Ben Jones. The boys reveled in their efforts, graciously accepted their trophies, and promptly fell asleep for the long ride home. The team will celebrate together this week, and train with the determination that had led them to a thus far undefeated season as they prepare for the culminating match versus Cardigan Mountain in New Hampshire this weekend.
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