STA Boys Tennis team surpasses 2017 win total by defeating Coe-Brown 8-1.

STA (3-1) arrived at Coe Brown (0-3) in a tough position.  Their #2 Owen Himmer could not attend the match meaning everyone in the 3-6 spots had to move up a position.  This also meant the #7 man Nate Poulin would step into #6 for the first time and play his first ever competitive singles match.  The line-up adjustment didn't seem to phase the Saints.

STA swept the singles matches despite 5 players in new spots.  Junior Assistant Captain Jack Benelli got STA on the board quickly with an 8-1 victory in the #4 spot.  Sophomore Jack McGuire followed suit with an impressive 8-2 win in the #3 spot.  Senior Assistant Captain Hayden Blaisdell made quick work at the #5 spot with the 8-3 win.  Poulin picked up a point for the Saints in his first taste of competitive singles.  He earned an 8-2 victory at #6.

The 1 and 2 singles matches were a lot more exciting.  Senior Captain Miguel Diaz won a back and forth contest in the #1 spot.  He was able to finish off a tough opponent 8-6 to pick up the crucial match-sealing point for the Saints.  While Diaz' win was impressive, it was Junior Assistant Captain Jack Dillow that provided the most exciting match of the day (and the most exciting of the season).  Dillow's first crack at #2 singles didn't start off great.  He surrendered the first 3 games and found himself in quite the hole.  Dillow continued to battle back and fight for every point eventually tying the game at 8-8.  Heading into a decisive tiebreaker, Dillow was fairly exhausted.  He went down 6-2 and his opponent had a quadruple match point (meaning Jack had to win 4 points in a row or he would lose).  Dillow stayed composed, battled back, and was able to outlast his opponent while stealing a 9-8 (11-9) victory.

STA went into the doubles matches already having the victory in place.  While the Saints would surrender the #1 doubles spot, they would pick up wins at #2 and #3.  McGuire and Baxter Kimball continued to impress with an 8-1 win in the #3 spot.  Dillow and Benelli kept their undefeated doubles record in tact with an 8-3 victory at #2.

The Saints were able to overcome some adversity and pick up another impressive victory.  They have no time to rest though as they are back at it tomorrow when the travel to Kingswood.

Jack Dillow serving during his incredible 9-8 (11-9) come from behind victory at #2 singles.

Jack Benelli serving during his 8-3 win at #2 doubles.  Benelli and Dillow are 4-0 on the year as a team.