Boys Tennis Round-up

BOYS TENNIS EXTENDS STREAK TO FIVE IN A ROW
The BHS boys tennis team won two more matches this past week to extend their winning streak to five games.  The Red Devils are now 5-1 and are currently tied for second place in the Middlesex League, arguably the strongest tennis conference in the entire state.  The squad blanked Stoneham last Thursday, and swept Belmont 5-0 on Friday.  The team remains unbeaten at Rahanis Park.

Stoneham came to town on Thursday and quickly found out why Burlington is one of the top teams in the state.  Coach Rob Newton did rest some of the starters, but Burlington has so much depth, it does not create a problem.  Co- Captain Raghav Tanna got things started off with a bang at the first singles position.  The senior cruised 6-0, 6-1 in convincing fashion behind strong serves and big forehands.

Sophomore Christian Repunte defeated his opponent at the second singles position 6-1, 6-2.  Repunte is starting to play with confidence and looks better every match, according to coach Newton.  Sophomore Dean Boodakian made his varsity debut at third singles and was extremely Impressive.  Boodakian has moved up the ladder for the Red Devils and on this afternoon was too much for his Spartan opponent to handle.  The score was 6-0, 6-1.

Senior co-captain John Romano paired up with freshman Lawrence Yu at the first doubles spot, and the duo pummeled their opponents 6-1, 6-1.  Junior Cam McSweeney and Sophomore Brian O’Connell, who have been a great team at practice this season played second doubles and rolled 6-0, 6-1.  Stoneham left Rahanis Park with a 0-5 defeat.

Belmont came to town on Friday afternoon with a young, promising team along with a 5-1 overall record.  The Marauders left town with their worst loss of the season, 0-5.  Junior Joe Piotti continued his stellar season at the number one singles position.  Piotti defeated league all-star Zac Wooster  6-3, 6-1 by using his topspin forehand along with some accurate volleys.  Tanna followed suit at the number two position with an impressive 6-3, 6-1 victory over a promising freshman. 

Senior Mike Calder, who is getting comfortable at the number three slot, played his best match of the season, ousting Richie Yuan 7-6, 6-1.  Calder wore down his foe with relentless groundstrokes, determination, and consistenc

The doubles teams were equally as impressive.  Repunte and junior Derek Skinner have been reunited by coach Newton and the two league all-stars from 2010 have not disappointed.  The duo defeated a strong pair from Belmont 6-1, 6-2 in dynamic fashion using a variety of drop volleys, slices, and lobs.

Romano and senior Tanishq Bhalla have been a strong doubles pair for the Red Devils this season.  On this day, the pair started slowly but the n picked it up and looked intimidating in the process.  The final was 7-5, 6-1.  Overall, the team had its most impressive victory in this young season. 

Burlington has two vacation matches versus Woburn and Wakefield, and then after that the Red Devils have two of their biggest matches of the season back to back on Monday and Wednesday afternoon at Rahanis Park.  Lexington and Winchester, two of the other top teams in the state come to visit.  Both matches are at 3:30 p.m.

BURLINGTON TENNIS CONTINUES TO CRUISE
The BHS boys tennis team won both of their matches over the school vacation week.  The Red Devils swept Woburn 5-0, and then blanked Wakefield 5-0.  Overall, the squad now has a 7-1 record, and is still in second place in the Middlesex League. 

Coach Rob Newton got to play plenty of reserves in the two vacation matches.  “Our team is so strong that we can sit four or five regular starters and still be a very powerful team. “ A lot of these guys are working hard in practice and challenge matches and deserve a chance to play.” 

Woburn came to Rahanis Park last Thursday and it was an extremely windy day.  Senior co-captain Raghav Tanna continues to cruise this season and this day was no different.  E dispatched his opponent at first singles 6-0, 6-0.  Sophomore Dean Boodakian played second singles and was equally as impressive.  His scorers were 6-1, 6-3.  Freshman Scott Barrett stepped in and played third singles versus the Tanners.  The Red Devil prevailed 6-3, 6-4. 

Seniors Tyler Baczewski and Jason Tarpey teamed up at the first doubles position. The duo got off to a slow start but turned it on as the match progressed.  The final was 7-5, 6-1.  Freshmen Eric Johnson and Matt Martin also got off to a slow start at the second doubles position.  The two then calmed down and were nearly unbeatable.  The scores were 2-6, 6-2, 6-0.  Overall, Woburn left town without winning a single match.

The next day, Friday, the team got on a bus and headed to Bear Hill Country
Club in Stoneham to take on the Wakefield Warriors.  Coach Newton was able to put six new players in to the lineup.   Tanna remained at the number one position and rolled 6-1, 6-0.  The senior  is now 7-1 on the season.  Sophomore Brian O’Connell, who has improved tremendously this season, played second singles on this day and crushed his opponent 6-1, 6-1.  Another sophomore, Brien Diffley, made his debut at the varsity level.  Diffley won 6-4, 6-3 at number three singles. 

Seniors James Walsh and Jimmy Silva paired up at the first doubles position.  Strong first serves and powerful volleys carried the Red Devil tandem to a 6-1, 6-0 victory.  Sophomore Brian Minghella and senior Danny Grassi played second doubles and recorded an official double bagel, winning 6-0, 6-0.  Burlington left town with a 5-0 team victory.

The team had some big matches on Tuesday and Wednesday this past week versus rivals Lexington and Winchester.  Results were not available before press time.  The season is approximately half way through, and Burlington has been improving with each match.  Hopefully the weather will finally turn and the team can get some nice conditions to train and play in.