Hotchkiss made the unenviable Lakeville-to-Deerfield trip this Wednesday. Our scouting report had pegged them as one of the teams to beat in Class A this year, and Coach Bolmer’s squad did not disappoint. Carl and Matthew, back in the saddle at first doubles for the first time since Loomis on April 20, went up a quick break and took a 4-2 lead, but gave it back soon after. Unfortunately, but that time Darren and Scott had dropped an 8-3 decision at #2, and Gideon and Alfi, “in the mix” against Hotchkiss’ 2/6 pair, came up short at 8-6. Hotchkiss’ clinch of the doubles point stole most of the momentum from our #1s, and they went down 8-6 as well.
Hotchkiss needed only three singles matches to clinch the win, and they quickly got one when Fin double-bageled Gideon at #6. Darren, fighting the talented freshman Von Emme on court 3, failed to gain any traction – Von Emme didn’t miss a single ball through the first four games, and rode a slick all-court game to a decisive victory. Matthew was the final victim, putting up a good fight against the lefty Maura (the second set came right down to the wire), but the damage was done.
We left three matches out on court: Carl, having just split with the slugger Kennedy on court 1; Scott, partway through a third set with Luis on court 2, and Alfi, in a tight battle with DeSouza on court 5.
The loss drops us to 4-4, with a few matches still left to go. Thanks to Mr. Grant, Mrs. Danforth, and Mrs. Auersperg for supporting today, and to Dr. Curtis for stopping by.
As always, follow us @deerfieldtennis or on Instagram, deerfieldboystennis, for further updates.
Hotchkiss 4, Deerfield 0
Alex Kennedy/Daniel DeSouza (H) d. Carl Grant/Matthew Wuyan (D) 8-6
Andrey Von Emme/Cole Maura (H) d. Scott Danforth/Darren Ho (D) 8-3
Luis Gonzalez Kompalic/Fin Ong (H) d. Alfi Auersperg/Gideon Yektai (D) 8-6
Grant (D) vs. Kennedy (H) 6-1, 4-6, unfinished
Danforth (D) vs. Gonzalez Kompalic (H) 3-6, 6-3, 1-2, unfinished
Von Emme (H) d. Ho (D) 6-1, 6-3
Maura (H) d. Wuyan (D) 6-2, 7-5
Auersperg (D) vs. DeSouza (H) 5-7, 5-5, unfinished
Ong (H) d. Yektai (D) 6-0, 6-0