While winter winds still whip across the fields, the Vineyard’s high school athletes are braving the elements and taking on the challenge of spring sports in not-so-springlike weather.
With a few weeks of practice under their wings, the competition began last week with the boys tennis team cruising to a 5-0 sweep of Sandwich at home on Thursday.
Last year, the boys made a deep playoff run in the division three tournament before falling to first-ranked Weston in the semifinals. Zak Potter, the team’s number one singles player for the past two seasons, leads the boys again in his senior year. He won his match 6-1, 6-1, and fellow senior Caleb Dubin followed suit at second singles with a 6-0, 6-0 victory.
Nate Walsh, a freshman, made his varsity debut in third singles and also cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory. In doubles, Kyle Levy and Tommy Flynn won 6-1, 6-0, and Henry Wansiewicz and Owen Schilling won 6-0, 6-3.
The boys head to Nantucket this weekend to square off with the Whalers.
The girls tennis team is also coming off a playoff appearance last year as they began their new season with a 3-2 win over Saint John Paul II on Monday.
The match was a nail-biter as it came down to the first singles match between MV’s Laina Dubin and SJP’s Lily Walker. Dubin played a nearly error-free third set to seal the win for the Vineyarders. Her match played out 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-1.
MV’s two doubles pairs secured the other points. Zoe Treitman and Charlotte Marchard won 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 and Ella Moran and Clementine Zeender were victorious 7-5, 6-4.
Coach Bill Rigali said it was a great start for the girls.
“They have been working hard,” he said. “We have had plenty of challenging matches so I think it got us ready to play.”
The girls take on Nantucket Saturday at home. The first matches begin at 12:15 p.m.
Joining the two tennis squads in the win column to start the season was the girls lacrosse team, which beat Cardinal Spellman of Brockton 12-4 on Saturday. Led by senior Charlotte Scott with six goals, the girls played a disciplined and dominant game from the opening to closing whistles.
Coming out of the gate with plenty of energy, Bea Welch netted the Vineyard’s first goal after just seven seconds of play. MV’s other scorers were Ava Mikos with a hat trick, Lizzy Chvatal and Abby Geary. Freshman Alex Royal made six saves in the win as well.
Last year, the girls made it to the second round of the playoffs after defeating Greater New Bedford Tech at home in round one. They will work to build on last year’s success with a strong number of seniors and a promising group of underclassmen who will play a crucial role at the varsity level for years to come.
On Tuesday, Monomoy comes to the Island for what is sure to be a good matchup. The Sharks, along with Nantucket, are two of the best teams in the Cape and Islands league. The draw is set for 3 p.m.
After the girls’ game on Saturday, the boys lacrosse team took the field for their home opener against Milford. Unfortunately, they were defeated 8-6. Still, they played last year’s division two state tournament team close and almost came away with a win.
Last year the boys made the playoffs but were sent home in the first round by Burlington. Their next home game comes Friday against Cardinal Spellman at 3 p.m.
The sailing team is coming off a very successful season last year where they finished fourth in the Terk Regatta. They were the highest ranked team from Massachusetts to participate in the race. At the O’Day qualifier, they won the A-Division and qualified for the Girls Fleet Racing Championship for the first time since 2015. They placed seventh in that event and second overall in the Cape and Islands League.
Next up for team is a home race against Dartmouth on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
Baseball opens its season on Tuesday at home against Saint John Paul II at 3 p.m. Softball also beginsTuesday against Dennis-Yarmouth Tuesday at 3:15 p.m., and girls golf plays Monomoy next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Edgartown golf club.
Track and field gets rolling next Wednesday against Monomoy on the Cape.
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