Tiverton Boys' Tennis Team Whips Woonsocket, Advances to Playoff Semis

One year ago, the boys’ tennis team won just two matches. This year, the Tigers are headed to the semifinal round of the Division III state playoffs.

In its postseason debut, Tiverton shocked host Woonsocket High School, 6-1, Wednesday afternoon in a quarterfinal-round match of the Division III playoffs. The Tigers won three singles’ matches and all three doubles’ contests to improve to 8-5 this season and eliminate the higher-seeded Villa Novans, who finished at 10-4.

“We played very well today,” said a pleased THS Coach Jeff Heath. “Our kids showed a lot of heart and desire and I really think we surprised Woonsocket.”

The Tigers won in singles’ tilts with No. 1 Jordan Darkow (6-2, 6-1), No. 2 Dan Tierney (6-2, 7-5) and No. 4 Jordan Hancock (6-3, 6-1) all triumphing in straight sets. Tiverton captured the No. 2 doubles’ contest with Matt Correia-Willie Blake (6-2, 6-1), at which point the Villa Novans conceded the final two doubles’ clashes, with the Tiger tandems of Tom O’Hara-Andrew Sampaio and Robert Walsh-Alex Rosa awarded forfeit wins.

"We've come a long way in just a year," Heath said.

Wednesday’s victory advances Tiverton to the semifinal round Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at Slater Park in Pawtucket against an undetermined opponent.