WHS Tennis: Wildcats preparing for state tournament

Despite an 0-2 week on the tennis courts, the Wil­mington High boys tennis team is ranked No. 4 in the latest MIAA Power Rankings, and the Wild­cats are looking to get back on track with the postseason on the horizon.

“We’ve had two very inspirational practices, and we are ready for Wo­burn, no question about that,” said coach Rob Ma­iley. “I do think we are go­ing to get back on track. We need to dig deep down within and I think we will.”

Last Tuesday, Wilming­ton fell to Melrose 3-2 in a competitive match.

Anuj Gandhi picked up a win at first singles, best­ing his opponent 6-1 in both sets.

“He controlled the points from start to finish,” said Mailey.

Sid Karani fell 6-3 in a third set following a 7-5 win in the second set at second singles.

“After the second set he had the momentum, but it was a hard-fought match,” said Mailey.

Owen Mitchell wasted no time at third singles, topping his opponent 6-2, 6-0.

“(It was) one of his cleanest matches of the year,” said Mailey. “The kid he played never had a chance.”

In the doubles, the ‘Cats were unable to seal the victory. Sarthak Tripathi and Srikar Mallajosyula fell 7-5, 6-3 while Eric Pack­er and Ryan Weinstein fell 7-6 in a third set.

On Friday, Wilmington fell to league rival Bur­lington by a score of 4-1.

“I do think that the better team won,” said Mai­ley. “We gave them a real good go.”

Gandhi lost a close match at first singles, falling 6-2, 7-6.

“He played a kid who just got everything back,” admitted Mailey. “If Anuj could have found a way in the tiebreak, I would have liked his chances in the third set, but it didn’t happen.”

The ‘Cats were unable to pick up a win in the singles department, as Kara­ni and Mitchell were both unsuccessful, including Mit­chell’s 7-5 third-set loss that Mailey had high praise for.

“He put a hundred and ten percent effort out there and it just didn’t go his way,” he said. “It was a very hard fought and competitive match. I thought it was one of his best matches.”

At doubles, the ’Cats earned their lone win from Nick DiGiovanni and Wein­stein, after their match was retired in a lengthy match.

“The other team was gassed after that, so they retired,” said Mailey. “Even if we played that third set, Nick and Ryan would have won. That was a very good Burlington team they beat.”

Before the start of postseason action, Wilmington played Woburn on Tues­day.

Girls Tennis

On the girls front, the theme is similar — des­pite a string of losses, the team is preparing for a competitive bid at the postseason.

“We’re very excited,” said first-year head coach Christina Woods. “It’s fun to be in the tournament and to be in a competitive atmosphere. It will be fun for them. Being ranked nineteen is awesome.”

In their final three mat­ches of the regular season, the ‘Cats ultimately came up short 3-2 in all three.

“I was hoping we would be able to get Melrose again, and I was hoping to beat Woburn,” said Woods, “They were good matches, they were just very close. Both of them could have gone either way.”

Wilmington began their week last Tuesday against Melrose.

At singles, the ‘Cats saw wins from first singles ace Jaslene Ryou 10-7 in a third set as well as Shub­hangi Tripathi 6-0, 6-0 at third singles.

Both doubles matches reached three sets, as So­phia LaVita and Maddy Benoit fell 6-3 and Julia Kane and Marni Mcbride fell 6-2 in their respective third sets.

The following Thursday, Ryou was able to collect the team’s lone singles win against Burlington, 6-1, 6-3.

“That was very impressive because Burlington is a very good team,” said Woods. “For her to win by that much, I was very proud of her.”

Wilmington also saw success at first doubles, as Maria Cummings and LaVita won in three sets.

“They played awesome together,” said Woods. “I was very proud of them for that because that was Maria’s first time playing first doubles and she killed it. Maria is a very good player, she has a lot of potential.”

In the regular season fi­nale, the team once again fell by a score of 3-2, this time to Woburn.

Ryou, Carolyn Haas-Timm and Tripathi all lost tight matches at singles.

Wilmington saw both of their wins come at doubles, as LaVita and Benoit edged their opponents 6-2, 6-1, and Kane and Elea­nor Ragsdale came out on top 7-5, 7-5.

As the team awaits their draw in the tournament, Woods will be focused on keeping her team engaged and competitive in practice to prepare them for postseason play.

“At practice, I’ll have my doubles play matches against each other and challenge each other so it’s competitive,” said the coach. “I want them to keep that mindset of playing a real game. Same with my singles.”