A Win and a Loss

Black and Gold Edge Millbrook

After facing a strong and deep Deerfield team, the Black and Gold hosted Millbrook on the Dewey Courts at Deerfield. Although the 4-3 win was the same as last year's result, the match was not as compelling. Last year's match ended with two overset matches finishing side by side in one of the most exciting matches in coach Peter Doucette's 19-year tenure. A 4-3 win is always exciting and fun, but is typically full of four- and five-game matches. Today's tilt had only one five gamer and one four gamer, but was nonetheless a great team effort. At No. 2 co-captain Khalil Walker '19 faced off against last year's opponent. With four game points to take a 2-0 lead, Walker seemed poised to put the Martlets ahead. Unfortunately, Walker lost each of the last three games in tie-breakers as his opponent shook off his more than two-hour ride. Co-captain Nate Londal '19 was in a similarly tight match. There were lots of cross courts and boasts by both players, but Londal was able to more consistently establish length and control the T. Each game was neck and neck, but Londal pulled out the win for a key first round point. Co-captain Nate Swift '19 is improving by leaps and bounds, learning to turn on open balls in the middle of the court and looking to hit length. Down 0-2, Swift fought back with a flurry of high-intensity squash. In game five, his opponent absorbed the pace and controlled the loose balls, making Swift scramble to stay in points. Millbrook won and was up 2-1. Sean Gregg '22, Sam Pagon '21 and Ethan Na '19 came to the rescue. Needing to win three of the four second round matches, Westminster got just what it needed. Pagon continued his good play from his earlier match and took victory when his opponent defaulted in game two with a knee issue. Gregg played his best match of the season, mixing in backhand trickle boasts, cross-courts, and straight drops off a steady diet of straight rails. Gregg was patient on the backhand wall, waiting for opportunities to vary his shots. With his victory, the boys knew it all came down to Na, and everyone migrated to the last court to watch closely. Na's volley nicks have been improving daily, but he still relies heavily on his front court game to win rallies. His Millbrook opponent was great when moving forward and had fine touch and agility up front. Na lifted the ball and worked the back left corner to stay in front and using the back corners to win points. It was just enough to seal the win in his match and for the team. Nail Award went to Gregg.

 

1 Alex Unruh '22 3 5 4 M Amir Yassin '21 11 11 11 3-0

2 Khalil Walker '19 11 11 10 9 M Bud Fisher '20 9 13 12 11 3-1

3 Sean Gregg '22 11 11 11 W Collin Tardio '19 9 7 9 3-0

4 Nate Londal '19 11 11 11 W Mason Rice '20 9 9 8 3-0

5 Sam Pagon '21 11 11 11 W Ashton Colangelo '22 4 2 0 3-0

6 Nate Swift '19 11 5 11 11 4 M Jonathan Feng '20 13 11 5 7 11 3-2

7 Ethan Na '19 11 11 12 W Jacob Domber '22 8 9 10 3-0

EXH. Scott Lee '20 11 9 6 11 9 M Gordon Locke '22 4 11 11 4 11 3-2