Islanders Fall to Mariners, Eye Portsmouth for Playoffs Spot

NARRAGANSETT – The Narragansett High School girls’ tennis team avoided a messy three-way tiebreaker for a playoff spot, and all but eliminated from the playoffs, thanks to a 5-2 win at Sprague Park on Senior Day Tuesday.

The Mariners (10-4, 9-4 Division II-South) swept all three doubles matches easily, and also won at No. 3 and No. 4 singles in straight sets. Middletown (7-6, 7-6 Division II-South) won No. 1 and No. 2 singles.

Narragansett head coach Russ Wyatt said he attempted to explain all of the various tiebreaker procedures to his team before the match, and saw their eyes glaze over. So, he made it simple for them.

“I told them, ‘Let me simplify it. Just beat Middletown and we’re in.’”

Without the victory, there was a potential of a three-way tie for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Mariners most likely would have been the team on the outside looking in, depending on the tiebreakers (most points against the other playoff team, then most sets).

On the other end, it was a tough loss for Middletown. The Islanders lost both matches this year against Narragansett, but they didn’t have their full contingent for either one.

Earlier this year, the Mariners won 4-3, but Middletown’s usual No. 4 singles player was missing. On Tuesday, Middletown was missing its No. 3 singles player because of an illness, and head coach Marianne Packer had to shuffle her lineup as a result.

“That’s been a little tough for us,” she said.

With the loss, Middletown needs to beat second-place Portsmouth, and for South Kingstown to lose to winless Chariho, to make the playoffs. It’ll be Senior Day for the Rebels, and they beat Chariho 6-1 at Wood River Junction.

However, Packer praised the work of the Bertsch sisters in singles play. At No. 1 singles, senior Kristin won 6-0, 6-0, and sophomore Sarah won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 singles.

“They’re definitely pretty dominant players,” Packer said, noting that their few losses had been at the powerhouse teams in the division.

Wyatt said he’s definitely seen his team develop as the year has gone along. Most notably, they went from losing a match at South Kingstown 5-2 earlier this year to winning the rematch a month later 4-3.

“Having pulled out a couple of 4-3 wins this year, we know we have the ability to compete,” he said. “It’s been getting experience, and understanding what I preach to them about digging deep.”

Also with the win, the Mariners avoid a first round matchup with Smithfield, the proverbial movie villains of the division. Smithfield has not lost a single point in 10 victories – a perfect 70-0 record so far for its lineup.

Instead, the Mariners will most likely play at Cranston West next Tuesday, depending on when other teams finish their seasons and when the playoffs can start. The Falcons are a more manageable 10-2.

Wyatt said he’s confident his girls can play well against Cranston. He noted that they beat Toll Gate 4-3 in a scrimmage, and Toll Gate managed to lose to West 4-3 this year.

Narragansett closes out the regular season by traveling to East Greenwich (13-0, 13-0 Division II-South) for a 3:30 p.m. match Thursday. East Greenwich has only lost two points the entire year.

Middletown (7-6, 7-6) is scheduled to host Portsmouth (11-2, 11-2) at Gaudet Field on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 3:30 p.m. The Islanders lost to the Patriots 5-2 on Sept. 27.

Results: Middletown vs. Narragansett, Tuesday, Oct. 18