WHS netmen drop close encounter with Swampscott

The tourney bound Winthrop High boys tennis team turned in a strong effort against Swampscott on Monday, but came out on the short end of a 3-2 decision.

Brendan FitzPatrick, playing at No. 2 singles, defeated his Swampscott counterpart in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, as did Jake rand at No. 3, 7-5, 6-3.

Although first singles player Alex Hamilton dropped his match by a score of 6-3, 6-3, WHS head coach lauded Hamilton for his effort. “Alex played an extremely strong match against one of the top players in the NEC,” said Hoffmann.

In the doubles contests, the first tandem of Tyler Norris and Patrick Brogan lost 7-6, 6-0, but the Viking second doubles team of Ryan McKinnon and Connor Brugman played a very close match, going to three sets, and almost pulled out a victory for the Vikings.

McKinnon and Brugman lost the first set very closely, battled back to win the second set in a tie break, but then lost the third set. “It was an intense final match of the game on which the entire match rested,” noted Hoffmann, “but I’m very proud of the effort they gave.”

The Winthrop boys were set to close out their regular season with matches yesterday (Wednesday) against Saugus and Friday with Danvers.

Hoffmann and her crew then will await the state tourney seedings and pairings.