WESTFIELD – The 2015 season ended for Westfield High School’s boys’ tennis team Thursday on their home courts, falling in the first round to Valley Wheel champion, and No. 5 seed, Agawam, 4-1, to finish with a regular season record of 11-4 (6-2 Pioneer).
Despite the loss, the Bombers still earned the regular season championship in the Pioneer, tying with Chicopee Comp for first place with a 6-2 record within the league, and will return all but one of its players next season.
Tristan Viale had the closest singles match against No. 5 Agawam in the Western Mass. Division I first round, losing to Will Conklin in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. (Photo by Robby Veronesi)
“That was a very, very good team that we played,” said Westfield co-head coach John Morizio. “We’re going to be stronger and better next year than we were this year, so I can’t see anything but being at least this much better and stronger next year.”
Westfield took a 1-0 lead on court three quickly into the match, after Agawam’s Mike DeStefano sustained an injury, forcing a retirement and a win for senior Alec Best in his final home match as a Bomber.
From that point, the Brownies (11-4, 8-0 Valley Wheel) controlled the match, winning four straight-set matches on the remaining four courts to advance to the semifinals, where they will face either No. 9 West Springfield or No. 1 seed and 17-time Western Massachusetts champion Longmeadow at 3:30 p.m. on June 8.
The visitors landed on the scoreboard and took the lead within minutes via wins on both doubles courts. The No. 1 team of Meesha Oradka and Matteo Godek defeated Westfield’s Timmy Hurley and Matthew Roberts, 6-2, 6-2. The No. 2 pair of Alec Ardolino and Steven Ludtke then defeated WHS’ Jimmy Knapik and Shayne Holloway, 6-2, 6-1, to take a 2-1 lead.
The Brownies’ singles’ duo of Alec Sours and Will Conklin finished the matched to secure Agawam’s advancement. Sours defeated Lyle Libanen of WHS, 6-0, 6-1 on court two to clinch the match. Conklin had a tougher bout with Westfield’s No. 1 Tristan Viale, but the WSU-bound senior managed to pull out a 6-3, 6-4 win to finish the 4-1 match.
“I think that there’s a great future for Westfield High School,” said co-Head Coach Pete Morizio. “I’m very confident in this team, particularly as they play over the summer and winter indoor tennis. If there’s three things that Westfield excels at, it is sportsmanship, having fun and caring for not only their own teammates but the players they play against. This is a popular team and they have a good time.
“They excelled and exceeded expectations. We had some freshman that stepped up big time, particularly Lyle Libanen who moved from No. 8 to No. 2. I think you’re going to see a lot of improvement across the board (next year).”
