By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High boys tennis team is four matches into their season and are 2-2, following wins over Woburn and Watertown.
They enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Woburn on March 31 to start their season off at 1-0, behind the work of junior Sean Donovan, who defeated Marco Centrella in first singles by a score of 4-6, 6-1, 6-4; sophomore co-captain Patrick Stratford, who defeated Rodrigo Ortiz in second singles by a score of 6-3, 7-6(4), and sophomore co-captain Caleb Miller who defeated Anik Patel in third singles by a score of 7-6(5) and 6-0. Melrose also picked up a key win in 2nd doubles, behind the work of juniors Daniel O’Donnell and Ian Kamosa, who won their match by a score of 6-3, 6-2.
Melrose coach Sam Stallings lauded their effort. “Woburn was tough, especially in their singles spots.” He pointed to Melrose’s work ethic as key. “Sean, Patrick, and Caleb earned very hard-fought wins and they showed a lot of mental toughness. Once Caleb earned his win at 3rd singles, I think it helped to push both Sean and Patrick to finish strong.”
Melrose followed that up against Watertown on April 8 in a 4-1 victory at Lyons Courts in Melrose. Wins in singles were clinched by Patrick Stafford who beat Luka Misic by a score of 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 in second singles and Caleb Miller in third singles, who defeated Cyrus Kiani by a score of 6-4, 7-6(4). At 1st doubles, juniors Daniel O’Donnell and Ian Kamosa won their match by a score of 6-0, 6-3. At 2nd doubles, sophomores Ben Rossi and Nathan Chow won their match by a score of 6-0, 6-0. Previously, Melrose had fell in a 2-3 heartbreaker to Reading on April 7 on the road. “It was good to be back on the winning side of things against Watertown,” says Stallings. “No matter who we face, the boys give their all and this is a great mentality to have.”
Melrose has some key matches this week including Burlington on Friday at home at 4:15 p.m. Says the coach, “We are expecting very strong teams again this year. Though we are on the younger [side], I’m looking for our focus and determination at all five positions in our line-up to help us win.”
