WETHERSFIELD, Conn. – Late last month, the Fitch boys’ tennis team made the long haul up to Weathersfield, where they lost in a tightly contested playoff match.

On May 29, the Falcons were matched up against the #2 seed in the CIAC, Weathersfield. After marginally qualifying for the CIAC competition, Fitch was able to force the Eagles into several defeats. They secured wins in singles 2, singles 4, and doubles 1. Ultimately, Fitch suffered defeat after losing in a tiebreaking match.

The Falcons put on a quality performance in the beginning of the match, but ended up down in doubles 3 and singles 1. Singles 3 was also lost. Soon after, the team regained confidence after junior Mason McAllister and sophomore Max Romily swept past the Eagles at 6-3, 6-2. More wins came from singles 2, when junior Luc Nickerson played dominantly at 6-3,6-1, and in singles 4, as sophomore Jeffery Hipsky secured victory at 6-3, 6-1.

To boys’ tennis coach Andrew Small, the players shone beyond expectations.

“Going into the match… Expectations were not to get shut out, just to go out and have fun,” said Small. “Some guys stepped up and played their best tennis in a thriller that came down to five points short in a deciding third-set tie breaker and losing a heartbreaker 4-3.”

The match concluded the team’s season after a postseason loss. 

Overall, Small sees potential for success in next season’s squad.

“For next year, the returning student-athletes need to focus on strengthening techniques, participate in offseason matches / hitting clinics to prepare for a wide-open ECC conference.

The Falcons finished the season going 9-7, an improvement from last year’s 10-6.