Boys Tennis Charges Ahead in the Tournament

Big Blue boys tennis advanced to the quarterfinals Saturday by defeating Stoneham 4-1 in the first round of the North Div. 3 tournament.

Coach Andrew Turchon said "the story line was strong singles play from the rackets of the Matts and Val."

Turchon said Swampscott seventh grader Matt Jacobs kept the ball alive in his 1st singles games, hitting deep shots just inside the lines.

"He hit a lot of winners," the coach said.

In 2nd singles play Val Temin defeated Brad Fagan 6-1, 6-2.

Temin had a blistering forehand and was moving his opponent around the court, the coach said.

Temin said he felt real good after the first set, the coach said.

“He is hitting his first serve,” the coach said.

The Blue team was psyched to be advancing in the tournament, the coach said.

Team captain and emotional leader Josh Lunder said it was the first time in about four years that Swampscott had advanced in the boys tennis tournament, the coach said.

The 1st doubles team of Lunder and Sam Crimmins defeated Drew Magonzin and John Cail 6-1, 6-1.

“At first doubles, another decisive and strategic match came from the rackets of the Lunder/Crimmins duo who pushed their 2011 record to 14-2 on the season,” the coach said.

The Stoneham 2nd doubles team of Tom Bergin and Chris Ford scored the Spartan’s lone victory winning 7-6, on a tiebreaker, and 6-3 against Vadim Katsemba and Ben Friedman.

The 3rd singles player for Swampscott, Matt Gilberg, defeated Pat Scanlon 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) tiebreak.

"Gilberg won confidently in the first set, but was challenged in the second set," Turchon said. "Both players were evenly matched, but Matt battled back from being down in the second set to force a tie breaker, eventually winning it 7-3."

On Monday, Swampscott will play the winner of Melrose vs. Austin Prep.

Swampscott’s conference record was 6-2 and its overall record is 13-3.