Coach's Brief: Norwood Boys Tennis Falls to Foxborough

From Coach John Churchill

Norwood 0, Foxborough  5

1s: Owen Smith (12) 3-6, 2-6 Wes Young (9) (L)
2s: Liam Kelly (11) 5-7, 6-4, 5-7 Peter Gallagher (12) (L)
3s: Nathan Jones (9) 2-6, 4-6 Luke Schaaf (11) (L)
1d: Michael Breen (11) and Walter Aspinwall (11) 3-6, 7-5, 3-6 Tyler Aubuchon (11) and Aidan Hyland (11) (L)
2d: Ben Richwine (12) and Jason Najm (11) 6-7 (8-10), 6-3, 0-6 Brian Bontobtti (9) and Fabice Guis-Letang (11) (L)

We lost 5-0, but most of the time this match felt like we just might be able to pull this one out. Foxboro has a good, athletic squad. I thought we played well, and we will look forward to our next meeting in a couple weeks.

Owen started well in his match. He was not able to figure out his young opponent.

Liam played well in his match. His opponent was a nearly identical player as the score indicates. Every set was close, and he fell just short. It felt like this match could have gone either way.

Nathan had his toughest challenge yet at third singles. His opponent was very consistent, returning all shots to the court. Nathan was able to make some progress in the second set, but he was not able to do enough to overcome his opponent. However, if the match had gone three sets, that may have put the outcome up for grabs because Nathan was getting stronger as the match progressed. (The Foxboro coach mentioned that Luke was 8-1 for the season at 3rd singles.)

Michael and Walter's match at first doubles, just like Liam's match, was very close and could have gone either way. Their opponents were very quick, chasing down unlikely balls. However, I saw Mike and Walter doing some of the same. Out of the 4 teams they have faced together (wins vs. Milton and Braintree, losses vs. Dedham and Foxboro), I think this team was the best. Mike and Walter made it a match. If they improve just a bit, they may be ready to come out on top next time.

When the second doubles match began, first doubles, Liam, and even Nathan were out there giving hope to a potential team victory. Second doubles was another point that we could have won, yet again we did not. The first set was a close tie-break decision going to Foxboro. The second set went to us. During the second set, Foxboro clinched the overall win when our first doubles and Liam lost in close succession. In the third set, things fell apart for Ben and Jason. Yet, I think the outcome could have been different, especially considering the first two sets.

Natick, on Monday, is another huge match for us. Based on their results, I think they may be in reach. However, we will have to be at our best, and I expect it will be close.