Boys Tennis Loses To Rivals From Warde

-By: Sean Gill-

Boys’ tennis team faced off against FCIAC rivals Fairfield Warde on Monday (5/10) in what is becoming one of the most exciting rivalries in any FCIAC sport. The rivalry between Warde and Darien goes back a few years when Warde knocked off Darien 4-3 in the first round of the FCIAC tournament. Last year, Darien beat Warde in the first round 4-3, and then at the State tournament Darien and Warde tied for the State Championship. The historically evenly matched teams faced off in another exciting match which started off with a quick win by the #1 doubles team senior captain Charlie Taylor and senior Sam Jackson who won 6-1, 6-1. However, Louie Rawden, playing at #1 singles, was dispatched by Warde’s #1 singles player Daniel Prior who was responsible for the tiebreaking win against Darien in the FCIAC tournament a few years ago. Next, #2 doubles freshman Ryo Usami and junior Malcolm Willis beat their opponents 6-2, 6-1, but #5 singles Rupert Hansford lost 6-4, 6-0. This left the match up to the #2,3 and 4 singles matches, which all went to the third set, and all took over two and a half hours. Senior Dennis Connetta was the first to finish at #4 singles, and lost 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. Senior captain Britt Gordon, playing at #2 singles, played very competitively against one of the best #2 singles players in the league, but ended up losing 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, and with the loss Warde clinched the win. However, senior captain Reilly Harmer was still playing at #3 singles, and his match went on for another 30 minutes, and Reilly ended up winning in a three-set epic 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. The final score was 4-3 in favor of Warde, but despite the loss, Darien has to feel good about playing tough against an opponent that lost none of its top three singles players from last year. The boys now have a 7-5 record and are playing Norwalk at on Tuesday. (5/11).
(pictured senior Dennis Connetta)
#1 singles Louie Rawden lost 6-0,6-1
#2 singles Britt Gordon lost 46 61 63
#3 singles Reilly Harmer won 6-3 6-4 7-5
#4 singles Dennis Connetta lost 4-6 6-1 6-3
#5 singles Rupert Hansford lost 6-0 6-4
#1 doubles Charlie Taylor/Sam Jackson won 6-1 6-1
#2 doubles Ryo Usami/Malcolm Willis won 6-2,6-2