This past Saturday, April 14, the men’s tennis team came away with a win at their final conference match of the season, beating Saint Michael’s 8-1. Before the match, seniors Dan Sullivan, Ken Schiefer, Jim Shelp, Andy Gleason and Joe Persia were honored for their dedication and success in the tennis program over the last four years.
These five seniors each compete in the starting line-up, having led the team to the conference championships the last four seasons. The five seniors have been a leading force in the tennis program over the last four years, and will be greatly missed next year.
In doubles play, Sullivan and Schiefer teamed up at first doubles to win their sixth doubles match of the season, 8-2. These two seniors have spent the last two years playing doubles together, accumulating 14 wins together total at doubles. At second doubles, Persia and sophomore Yaro Nieves teamed up to score a win 8-2, with sophomore Daryl Johnson and Shelp winning 8-2 as well at third doubles. The ‘Phins entered singles play victorious; convincingly winning all three doubles points.
In singles play, Sullivan put up a tough fight at first singles, giving it his all in his final tennis match of his career. Sullivan lost the match in three close sets, winning the first set 7-6, losing the second set 4-6 and then losing the third set in a super-tiebreaker 10-3. Sullivan has been holding the first singles spot over the last four years, and has also been the team MVP for the last three years,
Second through sixth singles all came away with wins for the team, with Shelp leading the way in another three set match, winning the first set 6-4, losing the second 0-6 and then securing the third set 6-3. Persia won at third singles 6-4, 6-4, senior Andrew Gleason won at fourth 6-2, 6-2, Johnson as fifth winning 6-2, 6-1 and freshman Shane Evans won at sixth singles 6-4, 6-1.
“Senior day was a very special day for all of us as it was the last time playing in front of our friends and family,” said senior Joe Persia, reflecting on the match. “Winning a crucial match which clinched a spot in the conference tournament made the day even sweeter. We have made the NE-10 Championships four years in a row which is an accomplishment in itself. Now we have to take it to the next step and hopefully we can make a deeper run.”
Men’s tennis ended their season with an overall record of 7-8 and a conference record of 6-5. They have made it to the Northeast-10 Conference Championships
