After two days with the outcome of its season up in the air, the Newburyport girls tennis program’s year officially came to an end just after 5 p.m. on Friday evening.
At the Salem Superior Court, Newburyport High’s injunction filed against the MIAA was denied, with Hon. Salim Tabit presiding over the case.
Newburyport High had filed an injunction against the MIAA on Thursday, following a controversial end to the Clippers’ Division 3 state semifinal match against Pembroke on Wednesday. During the contest, the deciding match (No. 3 singles) mistakenly went to a first-to-10 tiebreaker instead of a full third set being played after the match was tied at 1-1. The MIAA rules state that, during playoffs, a full third set must be played to determine a winner, but the on-site MIAA official mistakenly made the two athletes play a tiebreaker.
Pembroke won the tiebreaker, 10-7, to win the match 3-2 and advance to the State Championship game.
After the conclusion of the match, Newburyport immediately filed an appeal. About 45 minutes later, the MIAA ruled that a mistake was made, a full third set should have been played, and that both teams were to return the following day (Thursday) to conclude the match. But at approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday morning, the MIAA released a statement reversing its decison from the night prior, and declared Pembroke the winner of the match. It’s main reasoning being that since the match had concluded according to the on-site official, and the players had shook hands, the result was final despite the incorrect playing of a tiebreaker.
On Thursday afternoon, Newburyport filed for an injunction to have the full third set be played. The request was denied a day later, and Pembroke moved on to Saturday’s Division 3 State Championship game against Weston — which it won, 3-2, to win the program’s first ever title.
The Newburyport girls were two-time defending Division 3 Champions, and wound up finishing another strong season with a 17-4 record.
Here is a letter the Newburyport School District and Superintendent Sean Gallagher released on Friday before the verdict of the case was announced:
NEWBURYPORT, MA (June 14, 2024) – Newburyport Public Schools is firmly standing behind the Newburyport High School girls varsity tennis team as they appeal a controversial ruling from Wednesday’s Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Division 3 State Semi-Final Championship match against Pembroke High School.
With the team score tied at 2-2, a match between the final pairing was tied after two sets. The official had the players continue under tie-breaker rules when they should have been following the Tournament Format to play a 3rd set. This was unbeknownst to the players and coaches until after the players started. The players completed the match under this format, not having played the final set of the regular game. Realizing that incorrect procedures had been followed, Newburyport immediately appealed to the MIAA.
Wednesday evening MIAA ruled that the tie-breaker set had been played in error and the Newburyport and Pembroke players were scheduled to complete their game Thursday afternoon.
Here is the official MIAA email sent from Richard L. Pearson, Associate Director MIAA & MSAA to both Newburyport and Pembroke administrators communicating the MIAA ruling Wednesday night on how to proceed:
“Thank you to the athletic directors and coaches for resolving the misapplication of the MIAA Tennis Format and USTA Friend of Court rules of play. It was evident the USTA official improperly instructed the players to play a tiebreaker instead of the complete set to decide the match correctly. Not being a judgement call rather an incorrect structure of play, it must be corrected and completed according to the rules of tennis.
“After speaking with the athletic directors and coaches at the site this evening, it was determined to complete the match according to the MIAA Tennis Format and USTA Friend of Court rules on Thursday, June 13.
“Thank you for your understanding and support of the application of the correct rules of competition for the MIAA Team Tennis tournament.”
At approximately 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning, just hours before the match to determine the winning team, NPS was notified by phone that the MIAA decided to overturn the Wednesday evening ruling, naming Pembroke the winner and the Thursday match was canceled. MIAA overturned their decision due to Pembroke appealing their Wednesday night decision. Unfortunately, Newburyport officials were not notified that there was an appeal and only heard from the MIAA with their new decision.
“The official’s decision violated MIAA rules by having the players compete in a tie-breaker set of best out of ten, instead of playing a third set, which was the procedure during the 2024 season and years prior,” said Newburyport Athletic Director Kyle Hodsdon. “The MIAA ruling sent by email Wednesday night confirms this. Ultimately, we want to fully support our girls’ tennis team by exercising our right to appeal the MIAA’s reversal in decision in order to attain a fair final ruling on this semi-final match.”
Two years ago in the state championship match between Newburyport and Austin Prep, the team match was tied 2-2. The final match to determine the champion, similar to this past Wednesday, was tied 1-1 in sets. The final match went to a 3rd set and Newburyport ultimately won.
Superintendent Gallagher commented, “Our girls tennis players represented Newburyport High School with energy and determination all season long. The official’s actions undermine that effort and prevent an equitable final conclusion to their outstanding season.”