Local Tennis Roundup: North, BG, Merrimack boys win
Nashua North's Rudra Patel, No. 1 on the Titans singles ladder, keeps his eye on the ball during his and North's season-opening win Monday over Spaulding in Nashua. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)
Spring has officialy sprung for high school sports, which means this week will be dominated by tennis before the rest of the sports get underway next week.
And it was a good start for both the Nashua North, Bishop Guertin and Merrimack boys tennis teams.
Here’s a look at some impressive season openers:
BOYS TENNIS
NASHUA NORTH 5, SPAULDING 4
Jackson Nardone led the way for the Titans, as he picked up an 8-5 win at No. 4 singles and teamed up with Jason Pecoraro for an 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles, which was critical as North needed that to pull out the victory.
Rudra Patel won at No. 1, 8-5, and Shikar Gupta did the same at No. 2 singles, 8-3. Freshman Jack Desjardins triumphed at No. 5 singles, 8-6.
North is set to host Merrimack on Wednesday.
BISHOP GUERTIN 9, MANCHESTER CENTRAL 0
The Cardinals cruised at home in their season opener, as Dean Liakos (9-7), Gavin Bombara (8-3), Ryan Wallat (8-1), Aditya Prasad (8-5), Sean Cairns (8-7) and Will Moynihan (8-5) all win in that order on the ladder.
Liakos/Bombara (8-2), Wallat/Prasad (8-1) and Anthony Poto/Ronan Bradshaw (9-8, 7-3 tiebreaker) completed the sweep in Nos. 1 through 3 doubles.
BG is at Exeter today, rescheduled from Wednesday due to expected bad weather.
DOVER 6, ALVIRNE 3
The Broncos got wins from the Meuse brothers but couldn’t find any more in falling in their season opener.
Peyton Meuse (8-2) and Ashton Meuse (8-0) won at Nos. 1 and 2 singles, but the Broncos won only three games from the rest of the singles ladder.
The Meuses took No. 1 doubles, 8-3, but that was it for Alvirne wins. The Broncos are at Nashua North on Thursday.
MERRIMACK 5, SALEM 4
The Tomahawks started the season off on the right foot, edging Salem at home. They will visit Nashua North on Wednesday, weather permitting.
NASHUA SOUTH VS. BEDFORD TODAY
Two Division I contenders, Nashua South and Bedford will square off at South today at 4 p.m. in a match that was rescheduled from Wednesday due to the forecast of bad weather.
GIRLS TENNIS
MANCHESTER CENTRAL 8, BISHOP GUERTIN 1
The Cardinals had a tough season opener, with Alexa Pesiridis getting the only win, 8-6. Freshman Sophia Zielinski played well in an 8-2 loss.
Guertin hosts Exeter today, rescheduled from Wednesday.
SALEM 6, MERRIMACK 3
Shu Grosso picked up where she left off in garnering Telegraph Player of the Year honors from last year, winning at No. 1 singles, 8-0, and teaming with Emily Winefield at No. 1 doubles for an 8-0 win.
But the Tomahawks could only manage one more win, this one in singles by Katie Costa, 8-1. Merrimack hosts Nashua North on Wednesday.
NASHUA NORTH 8, SPAULDING 1
The Titans were able to make the long trip to Rochester worthwhile with a resounding season opening win. Titan winners included Ashley Goh (8-2), Andrea Milani (8-2), Sonya Rane (8-2), Mary Pappas (8-0) and Claire Desrosiers (8-4).
The Titans swept doubles with Goh-Milani (8-6), Caitlyn Mamos-Rane (9-8, 7-5) and Pappas-Desrosiers (8-0) all winning.
They visit Merrimack on Wednesday, weather permitting.
COE-BROWN 6, HOLLIS BROOKLINE 3
The Cavaliers hung tough but couldn’t pull out enough wins. Aby Coolidge won an epic battle at No. 3 singles, 9-7, and Emily Frederickson won at No. 6, 8-4. HB’s No. 2 twins doubles team of Abby and Mikayla Coolidge also won, 8-4.
HB suffered two tough losses at the top of the ladder, as both Keira Swart at No. 1 and Anuhya Chilakapati battled hard but both fell 8-6.
HB is at Milford on Wednesday.
TRINITY 9, WILTON-LYNDEBOROUGH 0
The Warriors had a tough opener, although Elizabeth Jacob and Erin McDonald hung tough before falling 8-4 at No. 1 doubles.
The Warriors home match scheduled for Wednesday vs. Pelham has been rescheduled for today, but will be at Pelham.


