By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
NORTH READING — It was a successful season for the North Reading High boys’ tennis team this year as they reached the MIAA Division 3 state tournament Round of 16 before falling to Weston.
Weston lost in the Div. 4 state final to Bedford 4-1, at MIT.
Overall, the Hornets finished at 14-6. They were 8-5 in the Cape Ann League as they came in third place in the CAL Kinney Division behind Newburyport and Lynnfield.
Although no Hornet made the CAL All-Star team, four of the five slots had winning records.
“No doubt the depth was a key for us,” said Hornets head coach Mark Bisognano.
Senior co-captain, Parker Lee, went 7-13.
“In our league it is a tough road at first singles,” pointed out Bisognano. “We have a lot of talent at that top slot.”
Kellen Tiberii went 16-4 at second singles despite being only an 8th-grader. At third singles, Raffi Toby also had a solid record at third singles going 13-4.
The normal first doubles team this spring was John Pastore and Nolan Pierce as they finished 11-4 as a duo. Pastore was 1-1 when he played third singles and was 12-4 overall at first doubles.
Pierce was 13-4 overall at first doubles going 2-0 without Pastore.
The second doubles pair of Connor Abruzzese and Sameer Murthy went 9-8. Abruzzese was 10-9 overall at doubles while Murthy went 10-8 overall in double play.
Bisognano handed out three individual awards as the team’s awards night at the school.
The team MVP Award went to Lee. Lee is also a co-captain.
“We had good depth this year and having Parker at first singles set the tone,” said Bisognano, who just finished his 24th-season at the helm.
The Coaches Award went to Tiberii.
“He is only in eighth-grade and went 16-4,” pointed out Bisognano. “He won some amazing three-set matches this year.”
Toby received the Unsung Hero Award.
“He did the little things that we needed,” said Bisognano about the senior co-captain who played at third singles. “He had a strong year going 13-4.”
“This is the second year in a row we reached the Round of 16,” said Bisognano. “I feel that we reached my expectations coming into the season.”
North Reading will lose three seniors to graduation: Lee, Toby, and Murthy, all captains.
“Parker and Raffi were with me all four years while Sameer was here for three,” said Bisognano. “They have been part of some really good seasons and were great teammates. We had five 8th-graders on the roster and they made them fell welcome despite the age difference.”
Next season, the Hornets are slated to return 10 veterans including four starters.
“We should be in very good shape heading into next year,” said Bisognano.