The BCDS boys’ varsity tennis team clinched the Eastern Independent League (EIL) championship for the second year in a row with a 4-1 win over Pingree on May 14. Undefeated in league play, the team won five of its eight matches by 5-0.
Coach Pauri Pandian says, “Winning one league title is an accomplishment in itself. Winning back-to-back league titles without dropping a match is an outstanding feat that is a testament to the amount of hard work all the boys have put in. Day in and day out, there has never been a shortage of enthusiasm, and each player has continually pushed his teammates to become better each time they step onto the court. Despite losing in the semi-finals of the NEPSAC tournament, the boys played their hearts out and came as close to victory as a losing team can in their 4-3 loss to Rivers (the eventual champion). All of the players walked off the court with their heads up, truly appreciating everything that they had accomplished over the course of the season.”
Playing #1, senior co-captain Pierre Planche won all his matches, as did fellow senior co-captains Henry Moorhead at #2, and Lukas Mead, who paired with sophomore Kristopher Bronner to form a solid team at #1 doubles. Julian Fialkow also went undefeated in the #3 singles position. Rounding out the lineup were Jay Rodman ’12 and Colin Read ’11 at #2 doubles. Rodman and Read made the biggest strides over the course of the season, and proved to be one of the best #2 doubles teams in the league. Freshman Jonathan Marsh also did an admirable job, filling in at #3 singles in some matches. Despite losing Planche, Moorhead, and Mead to graduation, next year’s team still will be a formidable one, with the goal of another league title always in mind.
Director of Athletics Sherry Levin comments, “The entire BCDS Community and Athletic program is proud of the team’s amazing accomplishment but also of the way they carried themselves. Each match they played with the utmost sportsmanship and grace. It is a rare feat to achieve.”