WAKEFIELD — In a pair of home matches last week, the Wakefield High boys’ tennis team had one win and one loss against fellow Middlesex League Freedom Division opponents.
On Monday, April 14, the Warriors cruised past Stoneham 5-0.
Senior Trevor Veilleux had a tough matchup at second singles against Stoneham’s Will LaFlamme. Veilleux won the first set 6-2 and worked hard to hold off LaFlamme in the second set 6-4 for the victory.
Wakefield only lost a combined four games in their other matches.
It was more of the same for Wakefield’s two senior captains who are off to strong starts this year. Luke Greif swept 6-0, 6-0 at first singles. Kevin DeGray won 6-0, 6-1 at third singles.
“They are both great players and great leaders for the team,” said head coach Cheryl Connors of her captains.
Seniors Kip King and Ahmed Othman were victorious at first doubles, 6-2, 6-0.
At second doubles, senior Gus Sanni and junior Connor Sliski won, 6-0, 6-1.
Altogether, the Warriors did well to work as a team in all facets of the match, which is a focus this year.
“One of our themes for the season is to practice the values of teamwork and how they learn and support each other during practices and matches,” said Connors.
Two days later, Wakefield welcomed Burlington to the Dobbins Courts for a highly-anticipated matchup between two of the best teams in the division.
The Warriors, who haven’t defeated the Red Devils since 2022, came close to breaking that spell but Burlington was able to hold on 3-2 in a thrilling matchup.
The difference in this one came down to two matchups which went to extra sets.
At second singles, Veilleux lost a tough first set 7-5 before battling back to win the second, 7-6. In the third and deciding set, he came up just short, 6-3.
A similar match took place at first doubles where Othman and King bounced back from a 6-1 loss in set one to take set two 6-2. The Red Devils won the third set, 6-2.
Sliski and senior Owen Kelley also played well at second doubles but they were edged in a pair of hard-fought sets, 6-4, 7-5.
Greif won at first singles, 6-3, 6-3, continuing his impressive undefeated start to the season.
DeGray also had a notable win at third singles with a score of 6-1, 6-3.
The Warriors will certainly have the rematch with Burlington circled on their calendars. The two teams will meet again in Burlington on May 14 at 4 p.m.
So far, the Warriors have worked through poor weather and the typical, early-season postponements. The team will now try to find a rhythm as they seek their goals for the 2025 season.
“Our goals this year are to make the state tournament, to develop a love for tennis so they will play year-round, to minimize unforced errors and most importantly, to have fun.”
Wakefield (4-2) had this April Vacation Week off as they will now focus on two more divisional matchups next week starting with a trip to Watertown on Tuesday and a home match against Wilmington on Wednesday.