THE HORNET boys’ tennis team celebrates their 4-1 win over Cape Cod Academy on Saturday at NRHS in the first round of the Div. 3 State Tournament. No. 15 North Reading’s season came to an end in Bedford on Tuesday, falling to the No. 2 Buccaneers in the Round of 16. (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

Published June 6, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

BEDFORD — On Tuesday afternoon, the season came to an end for the North Reading High boys’ tennis team as they were shut out by host Bedford, 5-0, at the Wedgewood Swim and Tennis Club in the MIAA Division 3 Round of 16.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” said Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano, as the Buccaneers are in the Dual County League, which is one of the elite tennis leagues in the state.

At first singles, senior captain Roman Ton lost to Dillon Denny-Brown, 6-1, 7-5.

Second singles player, junior Parker Lee, lost to Jeremy Gu. Lee won, 6-2, in the first set but Gu won the second set, 6-4 and then won the super tiebreaker, 10-7, in the final set since the match was already decided.

Senior captain Ricky Ho played at third singles and he lost in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, to Rylan Nichols.

In doubles action, the first team of senior captain Aiden Patel and junior Raffi Toby lost, 6-2, 6-1, to Spencer Goss and Logan Cox. The second team of junior Sameer Murthy and freshman John Pastore also fell in two sets, 6-1, 6-1, to Leo Natalizio and Charlie Demeo.

With the loss, the 15th-seeded Hornets ended up at 10-7 overall. Second-seeded Bedford, meanwhile, improved to 12-5 as they advanced to the quarterfinals.

“We played them tough at first and second singles,” said Bisognano.

In the First Round on June 1, the Hornets defeated visiting Cape Cod Academy 4-1. With the win, North Reading was able to avenge a 3-2 loss to the Seahawks in last year’s tournament.

“They are not as strong as they were last year because they lost their number-one singles player to graduation,” pointed out Bisognano. “Being at home also helped as we had to travel down there last year.”

Ton beat Ben Catalano, 6-1, 6-4, while Lee won, 6-0, 6-2, over Ayden Naydenov.

Ho also won in straight sets over Declan Livingston, 6-3, 6-3, at third singles.

“Ricky had a great performance in his match,” stated Bisognano.

Patel and Toby lost in three sets to Garret Wilson and Connor Hall. They won the first set, 6-3, but dropped the next two, 6-1 and 6-4.

Murthy and Pastore won, 6-3, 6-4, over Cooper Hall and Henry Daigle at second doubles.