Fairfield Prep Wins Third Straight SCC Tennis Title

Fairfield Prep defeated Cheshire, 5-2,  Wednesday afternoon at the Yale University courts to capture its third straight Southern Connecticut Conference tennis championship.

The Jesuits, who improved to 17-1 this season, have lost  only one match over the last two years.

"After we lost to New Canaan in our second match of the season, we really grew closer as a team," senior Tom O'Brien said.

 Prep's top singles player has not lost a match all season. O'Brien, who is attending Villanova next year, beat Bryan Adams, 6-2, 6-1, Wednesday.

The Jesuits also got a singles win from University of Connecticut-bound Ryan Carr,  who bested Spencer Beck,  6-1, 6-1.

Fairfield Prep's Jason Ottomano, who is headed to Colby College in the fall, defeated Dan Grove,  6-2, 6-3. 

The Jesuits' final two victories came from Chris Kinney, a 6-1, 6-2 winner over Tyler Hajjar,  and Wes Craft, who won a three-set thriller  against Spencer Wentmore,  5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8).

In doubles play, Prep did not have as much success as it had previously in the tournament.

The team of Chris Indiveri and John Alteri lost to Brian Choquette and Ryan Miland,  7-5, 4-6, 3-6. Phil Fama and Kevin Culligan did not fare any better, falling to Nate Trumbo and Vaughn Gueffens,  6-4, 7-6 (8-6).   

"We gave them (Fairfield Prep) a good battle and I'm very proud of them," Cheshire coach Jim Matthews said  "And we'll be back because all but one of my starters is coming back next season."

"It was a great season with a great team and a great group of guys to work with," added Fairfield Prep coach Tom Curran, whose team now prepares for the state state tournament, which runs from June 2-9.

"I think we could be a darkhorse in the state tournament," O'Brien said. "Everyone's talking about Greenwich and Staples, but I think we have a good shot at finishing No. 1 in the state this year."