Delbarton Tennis Falls in State Title Match

During its run in the NJSIAA Boys Tennis Tournament of Champions, Delbarton found itself in an unfamilar role of underdog. The Green Wave, though, had thrived in their new position, upsetting Newark Academy in the semifinals.

Delbarton was once again the underdog yesterday. But this time Delbarton would not be able to overcome the depth and talent of Livingston, falling 4-1 in the state championship game at Mercer Couty Park.

"They liked that scenario," Green Wave head coach John Thompson said. "They're always trying to prove that they're one of the top teams. We just ran into a really good team today. Livingston's a great team. We gave them a battle, but there's a reason why they're undefeated and the state champs."

In Short

Delbarton (28-3), seeded third in the tournament and sixth in the state, found itself in an early 2-0 hole as Brandon Goldstein (Second Singles) and the team of Jesse Bloom/Matt Wolff (First Doubles) earned straight-set victories for Livingston (36-0).

One win away from the state title, Livingston's Second Doubles tandem of Spencer Luster and Kevin Sun seemed to be in control with a 5-1 advantage in the third set. But Delbarton's duo of Garrison Block and Tommy Pigott unleashed a furious comeback, winning three-straight games and successfully fending off 11 championship points. The 12th chance would be the charm as Luster's forehand winner gave Livingston the match and the championship.

Livingston's Thomas Caputo defeated Delbarton's Chase Savage in a three-set showdown at First Singles. The Green Wave's lone win came with Matt Massey's three-set victory in Third Singles.

Green Wave Performers of the Match:

The First Doubles duo of Garrison Block and Tommy Pigott may not have left with a win, but after their three-set performance, their resiliency is without question.

Trailing 5-1 in the third set, The Green Wave tandem started its comeback. They successfully fended off five championship points to take the seventh game of the set to make it 5-2. Block and Pigott survived three more match points in both the eighth and ninth games.

"I wasnt' really thinking about it," said Pigott, a senior. "I had no idea we had saved (11) match points, I wasn't counting. It was just point-by-point.

"We just tried to take each point one step at a time. We would get up for each point. (Garrison) made some really fantastic shots."

Livingston's Spencer Luster and Kevin Sun would eventually take the set and the match, but not before withstanding an impressive challenge from Block and Pigott.

"That was amazing, because it seemed like the match was slipping away and they almost pulled it out," Delbarton head coach John Thompson said. "It was a really gutsy performance. I was proud of them, they played great."

They Said It:

"They're all eager to play. Its a little different since at that point you're playing for yourself. They'll have to get over this first, but they're eager." - head coach John Thompson on his four players heading to the state individual tournament.

"What we tried to do is come in not just with the main goal of winning, but coming and trying to play our game. And if we lose, then lose the way we wanted to play." - Tommy Pigott

"Some teams would collapse and they just kept their cool. They're one of those teams where you just have to tip your cap and say you guys had the better day."  - Pigott on Livingston's Second Doubles Team.

Up Next:

For four members of the Green Wave, the season is not over. Chase Savage, Spencer Furey and the doubles team of Mike Boyle and Eric Shiuey will compete in the state individuals tournament which starts on Saturday.