The girls tennis team is the lone Vineyard contender in post-season play, as the players continue their march today to a third consecutive state championship. Boys tennis and boys baseball both lost in their playoff games on Thursday in hard fought, close games.

The girls tennis team beat Monomoy on Thursday 5-0, to advance to the finals of the South Section Division 3 championship match. They play Ursuline at Medway High School today, June 10, beginning at 2:30 p.m. 

Boys tennis lost 3-2 to Dover-Sherborn, and the baseball team lost 4-1 to Norton High School.

The girls tennis team finished their season at 18-1, following two undefeated seasons. Instead of bemoaning the one loss on an otherwise clean record, coach Nina Bramhall said it had been a terrific season. “Some people think, oh, too bad about the one, and I think the opposite. You need to play good players to improve yourself.”

Coach Gary Simmons took his club deeper into the playoffs than any other in the history of the school. — Mark Lovewell

The single loss was against Sharon, a Division One school that was runner-up in the state finals last year.

“We only lost to them 3-2,” Ms. Bramhall said. “Losses are important. You learn what you need to work on.”

The boys tennis team finished the year with a record of 14-3, finishing as semi-finalists in the south section. The close loss to Dover-Sherborn hit especially hard as that team is considered by many to be the top team in the state.

“We knew it would be a difficult match because they’re the top seed and they’re undefeated,” sad coach Bill Rigali.

The team now looks to their counterparts on the courts to carry it home. “We’re rooting for the girls now,” Coach Rigali said. “For another state title, we hope.”

The boys baseball team completed one of their best seasons in recent memory, going farther in the playoffs than any team in history. The loss in the south section semi-finals hurt, especially for the upperclassmen.

The seniors on the team “were definitely upset,” said coach Gary Simmons. “A. Because their ride has sort of ended abruptly, and B. because they were sad they won’t get to play together any more.”

After 27 games together, Coach Simmons said they had grown to share a sense of pride.

Mr. Simmons said their final huddle on the field was bittersweet. “The last thing we said was that in 10 to 20 years from now this team will set the standard for Vineyard baseball teams to come.”