Martlets Fall to Hotchkiss

On a cold, windy Wednesday the boys welcomed rival Hotchkiss to the courts in what immediately looked like it would be a grind until the end. And of course great to welcome back Dave Werner who was coaching the JV match! Doubles started out nearly perfect, especially from Finn Hocking ‘26/Will Henry ‘26 in the #3 spot. High energy and solid play right from the first ball. Despite co-captain Hugh Olson ‘25/Alex Brown ‘27 falling at #2, Parks Cuskley ‘25 and Liam Hibbard ‘27 saved some of their best for last and closed out the set 8-6 to claim the overall doubles point. Hotchkiss bounced back taking first sets in four of the six singles courts, proving too tough at #6 and #1. Olson then gained some momentum back for the team by winning at the #3 spot to make it 2-2 overall. Hibbard came close to match of the day and another epic comeback, earning a match point in the super tiebreak, but credit to Hotchkiss who, although down early in the super, played his best when down to come back and win it 12-10. Needing the last two matches to claim the win, Hocking clawed back against a strong player to force a decider, while Brown at #5 also found himself in a super tiebreak. Hocking ended up saving a few match points, but Hotchkiss crossed the finish line first. That said, the grit and grace player of the day goes to Brown, hanging in there for over two hours of singles play to win his super 10-8 as darkness loomed over the courts. The boys competed almost exactly how we want them too, and will look to bounce back Friday on the road against Pomfret.

Singles:

1. Parks Cuskley ‘25 - 6-3, 6-3 L

2. Liam Hibbard ‘27 - 6-4, 3-6, 12-10 L

3. Hugh Olson ‘25 - 6-4, 6-3 W

4. Finn Hocking ‘26 - 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 L

5. Alex Brown ‘27 - 6-4, 6-7, 10-8 W

6. Will Henry ‘26 - 6-3, 6-0 W

7. Jack Pickett ‘26 - 7-4 L

Doubles:

1. Parks Cuskley ‘25/Liam Hibbard ‘27 - 8-6 W

2. Hugh Olson ‘25/Alex Brown ‘27 - 8-4 L

3. Will Henry ‘26/Finn Hocking ‘26 - 8-1 W

4. Henry Flaton ‘25/Alexei Kocatas ‘25 - 7-5 L