PATRICK STRATFORD is among those who will return to the always-talented MHS boys’ tennis team next season. Their playoff journey ended on June 6 against Duxbury. (Nadia Del Sonno photo)
End of great season for 11-8 Melrose
By JENNIFER GENTILE
DUXBURY—It was all hands on deck when the #16th seeded Melrose High boy’s tennis team faced #1 seed Duxbury in Round of 16 play in the Div. 2 State Finals on June 6. And as they traveled to take on the Dragons it was clear they’d have their work cut out for them against their undefeated rivals. Sure enough, they fell 5-0, ending their very successful season with a final record of 11-8.
This following their 3-2 opening round win in the Div. 2 playoffs over No. 17 North Quincy at home on June 1, which was their first playoff win since 2018.
“Duxbury was an extremely strong team, and they were well-rounded,” said Melrose coach Sam Stallings. “Their singles guys were probably the toughest trio of singles players that we’ve seen all season, but our guys still fought as best they could. Their doubles were strong as well, but our pairings played them tough and certainly had some chances.”
In first singles, Duxbury’s Tim Vargas defeated Melrose senior captain Sean Donovan by a score of 6-0, 6-1. In second singles Duxbury’s Peter Burnham defeated Melrose freshman Daniel Teittinen by a score of 6-2. 6-0. And in third singles Duxbury’s Taylor Bettencourt defeated Melrose junior capt. Patrick Stratford by a score of 6-0, 6-0.
“I felt like everyone gave it their all,” notes Stallings. “It was really tough to drive over an hour and a half down to Duxbury knowing we’re playing the best Division 2 team in the state, and I was concerned that we wouldn’t be very engaged in the match.”
Melrose also fell shy in doubles play. In first doubles Melrose junior capt. Caleb Miller and junior Ben Rossi lost by a score of 6-2. 6-3. And in second doubles senior capt. Dan O’Donnell and junior Nathan Chow lost by a score of 6-2, 7-5.
Says the coach, “Dan and Nathan had a strong fight at 2nd doubles in the second set…they were down 5-1 and rattled off four straight games to tie the set at five all. But, ultimately, Duxbury’s pairing found a way to finish them off.”
Despite the end of the their season, Melrose was simply fantastic this year, maintaining a top 20 ranking all year in their division and naming two All Stars in Dan Teittimen and Caleb Miller.
“There were moments the boys surpassed expectations, but I’ve felt since last season that they were capable of achieving what they did this year (compete for the Middlesex Freedom League title, earn a home playoff match, etc.),” says the coach. “We weren’t able to do those things last year, so we are proud of being able to accomplish those things this season.”
Next year, Melrose will return five of their seven starters: Daniel Teittinen, Patrick Stratford, Caleb Miller, Nathan Chow, and Ben Rossi. “Nathan Chow and Ben Rossi have played significant roles as doubles players for us for the past three seasons have been named captains as they head into their senior years next year. They’ll join fellow captains, Caleb Miller and Patrick Stratford, as all four of them approach their last season in 2024.”
He adds, “We’ll need some younger guys to step up off of JV, but we’ve had contributions from several of them this year: Joseph Brady, Sammy McQuaid, Gautik Singh, and Alec Truesdale all earned varsity doubles wins for us this season. If the guys put in the work during the offseason, and push each other to be better when we are in season, I truly believe we can take another step forward as a team and win the Middlesex Freedom League title next season.”
In the meantime he says goodbye to some hardworking seniors. “Sean Donovan, Ian Kamosa, and Dan O’Donnell are the seniors that we’ll be losing for next season,” he says. “They all played an important role on our team the past two seasons, as each of them played in a majority of our varsity matches. We’re grateful for each of their contributions to our team, on and off the court, and we wish them the best as they head off to college. I’d like them to hold onto the fact that they played a big role in helping our team to achieve what we did this season.”
