Boys Tennis: Avengers Remain Unbeaten With Victory Over Falcons

On Tuesday afternoon at Cranston West High School, two elite tennis programs matched up against each other. East Greenwich came into the contest at 9-0 and Cranston West was 8-1, their only loss to the Avengers. Despite a valiant effort, the Falcons came up short, losing the match 4-3.

In a matchup of the top singles players from each team West's Jason DeRobbio fell in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to Shiv Patel. Patel used his speed and stamina to eventually wear down DeRobbio. This match was competitive throughout and there were a bunch of long volleys.

Tom Morgan, West's number two singles player, defeated Chris Mainiero 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. At this point the match was tied up at one apiece.

The Avengers Carson Oberg defeated Justin Bilodeau in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. In the final singles match of the day, the Falcons Dan Accetta rallied back after losing the first set 7-6, winning the final two sets 6-3, 6-2.

The two teams split the singles matches, and the outcome of the match would be determined by the three doubles matches.

Michael DeRobbio and Will Accetta, the twin brothers of the aforementioned players, lost their doubles match in straight sets to Jason Brown and Aidan McNamara. 

Steve Callahan and Eric Cannistrachi put forth a valiant effort in the second doubles matchup, but lost in three sets. This match clinched a victory for East Greenwich, as they had now won four matches.

West's Dhruv Jain and Ryan Durigan won the final doubles match of the day in straight sets, but it was too little, too late. The Avengers won the contest 4-3 and remain unbeaten. Cranston West drops to 8-2 on the season and will face off against Ponaganset in a battle for playoff seeding on Wednesday afternoon. Ponaganset sits atop their division with an 8-2 record.

Steve Matzner, West head coach, was pleased with his team's performance. "We competed very well against them," he said, "We have made some improvements."

"Their doubles teams are much stronger than ours," the coach added, "Their players at the top have much better serves and better volleys."