Going out on top

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

In all sports, there are just two ways to end a season: in exuberance, because the team won the championship; or disappointment, because the team did not.

For high school seniors, the best way to go out is on top, and that’s exactly what the Matanzas boys tennis team did on Wednesday, when they captured the District 4-3A championship for the second time in school history.

The favored Pirates won the top four singles positions and both doubles spots.

Senior Jose Cadre had to withdraw from his No. 5 singles semifinals match in the third-set tiebreaker because of severe cramping after winning in the quarterfinals.

Freshman Davey Roberts dominated the No. 1 singles. Roberts, the No. 1 seed, earned a first-round bye and followed that up with a semifinals win over Ridgeview’s Daniel Zhang, 6-2 and 6-1. In the Wednesday morning finals, Roberts defeated Jon Deleon, of Orange Park, 6-0 and 6-0. With the win, Roberts earned an automatic bid into the state singles tournament, which will be held in Altamonte Springs.

Following an easy semifinals match, No. 2 player Nick Petrillo knocked off Bartram Trail’s Martin Gutierrez, 6-3 and 6-3, to win the title.

Teaming up with Roberts, Petrillo will be returning to the state tournament at the No. 1 doubles position after the Pirates duo up to defeat Bartram Trail’s top doubles, 6-2 and 6-1.

Henry Lao and Fischer Harrington won titles at the third and fourth singles position, respectively. Lao and Harrington also won the No. 2 doubles district title with an efficient 6-0, 6-2 win over Renz Marson and Jacob Coley, of Bartam Trail.

Coach Rich Cottingham said Thursday that he’s proud of his team.

“Although we were favored, with six of the seven spots being the No. 1 seed, they went there and did what they had to do to bring our second district title back to Matanzas,” Cottingham said. “I am especially happy for my seniors (Lao, Harrington and Cadre) for going out on top their last year.

“A lot of these guys train all year with personal coaches, so I'm very fortunate to have a group of guys so dedicated to the sport, and they're lucky to have parents who support them with that.”

Altogether, the Pirates won a total of 19 of the possible 21 points (seven positions, three matches each).

Matanzas will host the District 3-3A runner-up Tuesday, April 9, in regional action.