The last time the Gloucester boys tennis team took on Marblehead they came out on the short end of a competitive 3-2 match. The Fishermen were right there across the board, but just weren’t quite able to close against their rivals.
On Friday afternoon the two teams linked up for a highly anticipated rematch — and this time, Gloucester brought its A-game.
The result was a 4-1 road victory, the program’s first win over the Magicians in over two decades.
“It was a total team effort and one we will take a lot of confidence from as we head into the final stretch of the season,” said Gloucester head coach Derek Geary, his team now 11-4 with three regular season matches remaining.
All three singles players got Gloucester started on the right foot. Andry Payano Sosa secured a 6-1, 7-6 victory at No. 1; Anders Littman followed suit with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 2; and 8th-grader Shane Widtfeldt continued to impress at No. 3, picking up a 6-4, 6-3 victory.
It was an impressive clean sweep in singles action that drew praise from Geary.
“Andry did not capitalize on four match points but kept his composure and hit a clutch second serve on the fifth to seal the tiebreaker,” said Geary. “Anders was relentless with his backhand weapon and served the best he has all season. and Shane, his mental game is just off the charts (and he made) some mid match adjustments. I think of him and I think of Al Davis’s famous advice to the Oakland Raiders: ‘Just win, baby!’”
The doubles action didn’t disappoint, either. While they couldn’t pull out a win, the No. 2 duo of Cam Widtfeldt and Cole Ciolino battled hard in a 4-6, 4-6 setback. and at No. 1 dubs, Luke McElhenny and Dom Paone cruised to a 6-1, 6-4 triumph.
“Best of the year for them by far,” Geary said of his first doubles team. “They beat the team that beat them last time, and did it very convincingly. Luke’s footwork on the serve was outstanding and Dom was a beast at the net all match.”
It was certainly a confidence building win for the Fishermen, and an historic one at that. They were seeded at No. 8 in the most recent Division 3 MIAA power rankings and have a great chance to improve on that down the stretch. Gloucester’s final three matches of the regular season will take place in succession this week: Monday at home against Wakefield (5 p.m.), Tuesday at home against Rockport (5:30) and Wednesday on the road against Swampscott (4).
Sports Editor Nick Giannino may be contacted at 978-675-2712 or ngiannino@northofboston.com.