Boys Tennis Goes Out of League for Big Win

There are many reasons why boys' tennis has been so successful. One of them is challenging themselves whenever they get the chance.

On Thursday at courts, they did just that when they faced top non-league competition in the form of . The Magicians came in with a perfect 5-0 record and is standing atop the Northeastern League.

That didn’t matter to the perennial power in the Cape Ann League as it pinned a 4-1 loss on the visitors.

“(Marblehead) is a team we’ve scheduled throughout the years because we know they are always good,” said Generals coach Joe Maher. “There were good matches at all positions.”

Maher, whose team improved to 5-1 with the lone loss coming to Pentucket to open the season, liked what he saw in all spots, even the loss at No. 2 doubles. He feels the non-league victory will bode well as the squad continues in league play.

“Anytime you beat a good team and the players come off the court feeling good they feel they can beat anyone,” he continued. “Even at second doubles, they’ll learn from (the loss).”

The clinching match - after the No. 1 doubles team of Chris Young and Spencer Collins won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, and No. 2 singles Jack Lebel persevered in a 6-0, 7-5 win – was a comeback triumph by No. 3 singles Trip McLane.

The senior dropped the first match 4-6, but came back 6-1, 6-3 to jog off the court with the decisive third point.

The final set was tied, 3-3 before he captured the final three games. The fourth game was won when McLane came to the net and hit a shot that could have gone long but his opponent, Ian Hyte, decided to return the shot, hitting it into the net. In the next two games he won in love, the final point when Hyte hit his return into the net.

“Trip is a smart player,” Maher said. “He may not hit the ball hard but he will get to them. He is patient and hits big shots when he needs to.”

Collins felt the Generals took it to the visitors, who were 30 minutes late as they waited for a team member to finish an AP test.

“Today our strokes were on and we were moving our feet,” he said. “We were ending points today instead of letting them continue and (Marblehead) possibly winning them.”

Stuart Rowe won easily at No. 1 singles, 6-2, 6-2, while the second doubles team of Joey Merrill and Brian Rodgers dropped a tough 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 decision.

“The second doubles team has been one of our strongest areas this year. It was nice to see the others pick them up today,” said Maher.

Hamilton-Wenham next on Monday at 3:30 p.m.