The Division 3 boys tennis state semifinal came down to Belchertown’s best four against Hopedale’s best four.
Both No. 1 and No. 2 singles matches went to third sets Friday at Whittinsville Christian. The Blue Raiders pulled out both to beat the Orioles 3-2 and return to the state final. Hopedale will face either Weston or Dover Shearborn, which play Monday, for the state championship at a time and date to be determined.
Belchertown secured the first two matches at No. 1 doubles and No. 3 singles to move within a point of the program’s first state final appearance.
Colby Masse and Carson Boscher handled Lukas Pannenborg and Joshua Miller 6-4, 6-4 in the top doubles position.
“Absolute rock stars. They solidified themselves as one of the top teams in the state,” Belchertown coach Zach Siano said. “To see them come through on the biggest stage was a welcome sight.”
Then freshman Trevor Weiss bested Joel Bernardes 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3 singles.
“It’s a thankless job at third singles. As a freshman being thrust into that position and all that pressure – everyone else is an upperclassman,” Siano said. “For him to secure our second point of the day and give us a shot is a welcome sight for the future. I’m excited to see what he’s going to bring going forward.
The remaining three matches went to three sets.
Hopedale got on the board with a win at No. 2 doubles. Jack Phillips and Hudson Terando beat Joseph Bianco and Kiernan Cornish 1-6, 6-0, 6-2.
After a 10-minute break, the top two singles positions started their third sets.
Belchertown’s Ben Schrenzel fell 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 against Tyler Flynn at No. 1. John Vinagre lost to Luke Tahmoush 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 at No. 2.
“Little heartbreaker, but we had an awesome, awesome match,” Siano said.
Westboro 5, Amherst 0 – The Hurricanes’ season ended in the Division 1 state semifinals.
The Rangers will face either Lexington or Brookline, who play Monday, for the championship.
Amherst’s Aengus Cox gave Westboro’s Nishith Sura everything he could handle at No. 2 singles in a 7-5, 7-6 (4) loss.
James Serhant of the Hurricanes fell 6-2, 6-3 against Andrew Chen at No. 1 singles.
At No. 3 singles. Amherst’s Miles Jeffires lost 6-1, 6-1 against Nothan Feldman.
Westboro’s Srinjoy Ghosh and Ben Dubrovski beat Sachin Khashu and Josh Kellogg 6-0, 6-0.
The Raiders’ Shaoqian Xiang and Ben Dubrovski won 6-2, 6-1 against Siddu Sitaraman and Rohan Shenoy at No. 2 doubles.
Westfield 21, Northampton 3 – Katie Munson singled and scored two runs, as Northampton fell in 12U District 2 pool play
Northampton’s Alexa Peters and Ella Daille each drove in a run. Mia Lindhall touched home for Northampton. Ryleigh Pease struck out three in the circle.