Takes down Woburn, Wilmington

Published April 19, 2019

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider boy’s tennis team earned back-to-back wins to improve to 2-2 at the start of their season, with key league matches on tap next week. 

On April 10, Melrose started their winning ways with a 5-0 sweep over Woburn. It was a solid effort from top to bottom, as Melrose prevailed in both singles and doubles. In first singles, Henry MacDonnell prevailed 6-4, 6-2 over his Tanner opponent, while Melrose’s Zac Zabatis took down his opponent, 6-2, 6-0. Melrose’s Griffin Castergine also came up a winner, beating his opponent 6-4, 6-1. In doubles, Melrose saw victory behind Nick Koen and Jack Summersby (6-0, 6-0 sweep) and Tyler Janzen and Russell Darwin (6-1, 6-1). 

The very next day Melrose picked up another win, this time a 4-1 victory over Wilmington. “I think the Woburn win was a confidence builder,” says coach Matt Williams. “We were happy to win our first match and build off it.” 

THE MELROSE Red Raider tennis team has won two in a row with league games on tap for next week. (Donna Larsson photo)

Against the Wildcats, Melrose saw victory behind work of Zach Zabatis (second singles), Griffin Castergine (third singles) and both their doubles teams: first doubles, Jack Summersby and Russell Darwin and in second doubles, Tyler Janzen and Eli Coleman. 

So far to date, coach Williams is happy with their play, but acknowledges there is work to be done. “I’d like to work on our serving, and have the team figure how and when to deliver a winning shot.”

There have been promising moments in their early season. Williams points to solid work by Griffin Castergine in third singles as an example. “He’s been playing very well and really coming along. He has a great forehand, that being one of the better shots on the team.” 

At 2-2, Melrose is looking to pick up some key league wins as they battle Stoneham and Watertown this week. “We’d definitely like to get on a roll,” says Williams. “We’re young and have work to do, but it would be nice to pick up the league wins.”

They get that chance when they travel to Stoneham High on Tuesday for a 4:00 p.m. match.