3-2 to start the spring
Published in the April 22, 2016 edition
THE MELROSE boys’ tennis team is off to a 3-2 start to the season and is being led by senior Julian Nyland (pictured). (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSEb — The Melrose Raider tennis team is off to a winning start, sitting 3-2 after a few weeks of play. Quality wins over rivals such as Wilmington, Arlington and Burlington have the current Middlesex Freedom League champs feeling good as they wrap up a productive school vacation week.
This season Melrose has seen wins from their singles players Jack Mays (first), Julian Nyland (second) and Sean Donovan (third). All three saw success against Wilmington and fought tooth and nail for wins against Burlington on April 15. According to head coach Matt Williams, the three battled hard against their Freedom League foes. “Julian had a nice win against Burlington, Sean’s victory clinched the win for us there and Jack Mays had a three hour battle that went Burlington’s way.”
In doubles Melrose is seeing play from Sam Stallings and Caleb Zimmerman in first doubles and Jason Jang and Sean Prendergast in second doubles. “These teams have been doing great and earning wins,” says their coach.
Melrose has also enjoyed a 5-0 victory over Wilmington on April 13 and a 3-2 win over Arlington on April 8. This week the team has been able to use vacation time to practice on certain elements such as volleys, overheads, serves and returns. “Each practice we focus on one area to fine-tune,” says their coach.
Just in time for critical league play which is on the horizon. Melrose has matches against Wakefield, Watertown and Stoneham, three teams they’ve historically been successful against.
By this time next week, Melrose could have six wins under their belt. They first face the Warriors on Monday at 3:30 at the Lyons Courts in Melrose.
