SHREWSBURY — The layoff was just too long and South Hadley just could not shake off the rust.
Hopedale halted South Hadley’s quest for a spot in the state Division 3 boys tennis final following a tidy 5-0 semifinal verdict, Tuesday afternoon at St. John’s High School.
The Tigers were no match for the Blue Raiders, who took only 59 minutes to advance to the state championship.
“They’re a phenomenal team,” South Hadley coach Dan Dubuc said.
Hopedale established the tempo from the outset.
“They’re a great team and their footwork, their strokes and placement of serves was consistent,” Dubuc said. “We just knew they were going to return everything.”
It was South Hadley’s first competitive action since the Tigers rallied to beat rival Belchertown for the Western Massachusetts title 12 days earlier. The Tigers spent countless hours of practice in preparation of the state semifinal, but after the match, they realized there’s just no substitute for live action.
“We’ve been out of match environment for quite a while,” Tiger junior John Parenteau said. “If we had a match last week, it would have helped us stay in the mindset for this match.”
Connor Barbacki lost 6-0, 6-0 to Jack Figgins at No. 1 singles and Michael Zhou was bested by Matt Costanza 6-0, 6-0 at second singles. At No. 3 singles, Parenteau lost to Ben Tammaro 6-0, 6-0.
The Tigers’ No. 1 doubles duo of Zach Kotfila and Jack Canavan-Gosselin lost 6-0, 6-1 to Gabe Tarando and Ben Tammoush. Gavin Lipp and Nate Piligian lost to Jackson Tammoush and Wes Rodriguez 6-0, 6-1.
“We’re a very close team — we hang out with each other and usually, we pick each other up,” Parenteau said. “It’s going to be exciting next year and this experience is one I’ll cherish forever.”
The Tigers closed at 12-9 and with their first sectional title. Dubuc summed up the season in one word:
“Surreal,” he said. “These guys worked so hard to get here and it was a pleasure to coach them.”
Dubuc said his team was upbeat on the bus ride to Shrewsbury, hoping to carry over a memorable comeback win against Belchertown for the sectional title.
“We did a really good job this year, winning our first Western Mass.,” Kotfila said. “To come here was just another opportunity to get better.”
But Hopedale quickly squashed any momentum the Tigers may have brought with them. Hopedale will play Weston on Thursday for the state title.
“Our guys were ready for this and they hate losing as much as I do,” Dubuc said. “The layoff wasn’t great, but I don’t want to make an excuses.”
Hopedale 5, South Hadley 0
at St. John’s Shrewsbury
First singles: Jack Figgins def. Connor Barbacki, 6-0, 6-0; Second singles: Matt Costanza def. Michael Zhou, 6-0, 6-0; Third singles: Ben Tammaro def. John Parenteau, 6-0, 6-0; First doubles: Gabe Tarando & Ben Tammoush def. Zach Kotfila & Jack Canavan-Gosselin, 6-0, 6-1; Second doubles: Jackson Tammoush & West Rodriguez def, Gavin Lipp & Nate Piligian, 6-0, 6-1.
Records: Hopedale (16-4) South Hadley (12-9)