Longmeadow boys tennis falls to St. John's in state semifinal.
WILBRAHAM - For the third straight year, St. John's High School of Shrewsbury erected a road block for the Longmeadow boys tennis team.
Stocked with the Central Massachusetts Individuals singles and doubles champions, the Pioneers dispatched the Lancers 4-1 Monday in the state semifinals of the team tournament at Minnechaug High School.
The Lancers, winners of 15 straight sectional championships, have lost to St. John's in the state semifinals the last three years. Their last trip to the finals was in 2009 after beating Algonquin in the semifinals.
"They're always so skilled and they're tough competitors too, so that's a tough combination,'' Longmeadow coach Pat Magowan said. "They come out and are motivated from the beginning and always find a way. I'm so respectful of them and they played as well as they could and so did we.''
For senior Nicos Boborodea, who fell 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3 singles to Lucas Tata, the Pioneers have haunted the Longmeadow tennis courts for his three years on the team.
"We've been playing St. John's throughout my past few seasons and they're just a strong team every time we play them,'' Boborodea said. "We come out and play and do all we can and sometimes we just come up short.''
A warm, blustery afternoon caused problems on lobs and other softly-hit shots, and while both teams played under the same conditions, it seemed to hurt the Lancers more.
"The wind was a little tough and in the sets that were close it was a point here or there,'' Magowan said. "That's what happens when you have tough competitors that are skilled, it tends to go that way.''
"(The wind) wasn't really my friend, it didn't help me out at all,'' Boborodea said. "But (Tata) didn't make many mistakes. It was like playing off a backboard."
Chris Ellis, who will compete in the state semifinals of the Individuals tournament, was a 6-0, 6-0 winner over Tayyab Sheikh of Longmeadow at No. 1 singles. Dylan Fletcher claimed No. 2 singles 6-1, 6-4 over Ross Kamin.
Wes Arnold and Dave Hennessey, the Central Mass. Individuals doubles champions, won 6-1, 6-0 over Austin Lai and Jason Horowitz at first doubles.
Tom Nilsson and Andrew Hadley won the lone match for the Lancers at second doubles, winning 6-2, 6-2 over Mitch Adelsen and Alden Hosmer.
The high school season isn't over for all the Lancers. Nilsson and Boborodea will play in the Individuals doubles state semifinals on Saturday morning at St. John's-Shrewsbury, going up against St. John's Prep team of Mark Corvi and Ian Wright.