Boys' Tennis is Postseason-Bound, Girls' Team Gets Closer

With two weeks left in the season, the boys' tennis team has just one loss and has qualified for the post season. The girls' team is probably not too far off from what they, and those around the league, expected.

The boys team sits at 9-1 overall, 7-1 in the Cape Ann League Small Division. While its 40-match league winning streak fell early - in its first match - as long as the Generals capture their final league contests it will be their fourth straight league title.

For the girls, it has been a steady season with the team improving with each game, match and set. The squad is 7-4 overall after a 5-0 win over Newburyport on Monday and is on the verge of qualifying for the state tournament.

“We are really in a good position for the Cape Ann League Small,” said boys coach Joe Maher. “We really are in charge of our own destiny as long as we beat Manchester-Essex and North Reading.”

The biggest hurdle for the boys will be Wednesday’s home match against Manchester-Essex. Despite beating them 5-0 in a non-league tilt earlier in the season, the teams are closely matched and most spots could go either way, depending on the day.

The girls are also in a good spot to be in the playoffs, which requires a winning record. Winning two of three matches last week certainly helped.

Freshman Caroline Gribbell, who has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries, has been a key to the steady play and will be looked upon in the tournament. She won all three matches - including the lone point in a loss to powerhouse North Andover on Wednesday, May 11 - as she dropped a total of 10 games in the three contests.

“Caroline Gribbell showed patience and maturity capturing the only win for the Generals in No. 3 singles (against North Andover),” said coach Claudia Hawkes, who noted that the first-year player is 5-2 on the season.

The key match of the week was a 3-2 victory over Rockport on Thursday. After Gribbell at No. 3 singles and the No. 2 doubles tandem of Caroline Flores and Allie Whelan came off the court with two points, it came down to No. 1 singles. Charlotte Horton and her opponent battled long, each winning a set. Horton persevered and came out on top, 10-8, in the super-tiebreaker.

“Charlotte was a tenacious and focused competitor in the end to clinch the match,” said Hawkes.

On the boys side everyone has been hot for the Generals. Following its 3-2 season-opening loss, the team has dropped only one point. Maher’s squad is rolling, and with a handful of matches remaining, he likes where the team is headed.

“The kids are more comfortable with the roles they have on the team,” Maher said. “Because of that they are a little more aggressive, they are playing to win. I feel in the first match we were there to not lose than to win.”

Trip McLane has been playing to win the entire season - yet to lose a match. That coupled with Stuart Rowe (No. 1 singles) and Jack Lebel (No. 2 singles) dominating their matches, Hamilton-Wenham has a formidable singles trio that can stand up to any squad.

“Trip has been playing well all year and Stuart and Jack have been coming on strong at No. 1 and No. 2 singles,” Maher said.

“We’re growing as the season progresses. It is very important so when the state tournament hits hopefully we will beat the teams we should beat and maybe beat someone with a higher seed.”

The girls remaining schedule is Wednesday (away, Manchester-Essex), Monday, May 23 (away, North Reading) and Wednesday, May 25 (away, Ipswich).

The schedule looks like this for the boys: Wednesday (home, Manchester-Esssex), Friday (away, Pentucket), Monday, May 23 (home, North Reading) and Wednesday, May 25 (home, Ipswich).