Longfellow Junior Tennis Highlights

Wayland Girls

By Brian Mozey GLOBE CORRESPONDENT  JUNE 15, 2017

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Wayland 3, Hingham 2 — One year after losing to Foxborough in the state final, a highly-motivated Warriors squad captured its first state crown on the strength of a riveting 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 victory by senior Sydney Hsu at third singles.

Only then could Wayland (19-1), and nine-year coach Erin Reeves, take a breath and savor a hard-earned title.

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“Last year was a really tough loss and the girls took it really hard,” said Reeves.

“I think that experience of getting there and losing really helped us come back.”

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Hingham coach Linda Partridge, whose squad finished as the runner-up for the third time, called Thursday “the closest state match she’s ever been involved in.”

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With the two teams splitting the doubles matches, the title was decided at singles. Wayland junior Audrey Camacho prevailed at No. 2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, after pushing through long rallies marked by deep and flat shots.

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Hsu rallied from a 4-3 deficit to win the third set at No. 3, breaking Alli Burton’s serve for the 6-4 win.

“Honestly, I didn’t really think about the score, I just thought, all these people are here, I gotta do it for them and keep fighting for every point,” Hsu said. “Just keep grinding.”

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At first singles, Hingham freshman Lexi Dewire won 7-5, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, over Izzy Essi. By then, however, the championship had already been decided.

SHREWSBURY — The Wayland boys’ tennis team did not qualify for the state tournament last spring.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Warriors captured their third Division 2 state title in four seasons with a 4-1 win over previously unbeaten South champion Sharon at St. John’s Shrewsbury.

The difference? Charlie Sharton, the team’s ace at first singles who is headed to Georgetown in the fall, was playing a USTA schedule last year. At No. 2, Jaylen Wang was sidelined with a back injury.

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With the return of his co-captains, coach Shawn Powers knew his Wayland squad could contend for a state title. 

“When you return your No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, it’s always a benefit,” said Powers. “This team worked hard to get to this point and it was truly an honor to watch them win this title.”

Sharton rolled over Griffin Fein at first singles, 6-0, 6-1. Minutes later, Wayland sophomore Will Barton beat junior Andre Olivei, 6-2, 6-1.

The clinching point took a bit more time. Wayland (17-2) won two tiebreakers in the first set for second singles and first doubles, with Wang securing the third point at No. 2 with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 victory over fellow junior Fred Bodnar.

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“Winning that tiebreaker was huge for my confidence and my play going into the second set,” Wang said. “I noticed both of us were having cramps and having to battle in the second set. I just wanted to push and finish this match on top.”

At first doubles, Sharon’s Gage Fuller and Will Gardner survived, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-1, while Evan Curtin and Zhenyang Luo prevailed for Wayland, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, at No. 2.

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Sharon finished 23-1.