Friday brought playoff intensity to the Island as the Vineyard boys tennis and lacrosse teams kicked off their postseason journeys at home.
The boys tennis team defeated Gloucester in first-round play, sweeping them 5-0. Boys lacrosse hosted Monty Tech, but the Vineyarders couldn’t overcome a wave of injuries, falling 11-7.
In away games, the boys baseball team was victorious on Friday, taking down Ashland High School 4-3, but the girls lacrosse team also lost a tight 12-10 game on Thursday to Groton-Dunstable in their first round of playoffs.
On the tennis courts, the boys did not drop a single set against Gloucester. At first singles, Zak Potter defeated Gloucester’s top player, Shane Widtfeldt, 6-2, 6-2. At second singles, Caleb Dubin seized advantage from the first serve and never let up, cruising to a 6-0, 6-0 win. Kert Kleeman showcased his talent as well at third singles, earning a 6-1, 6-3 victory.
In doubles, Tommy Flynn and Kyle Levy rolled to a 6-0, 6-0 win, while Nate Walsh and Henry Wansiewicz triumphed 6-1, 6-2.
The Vineyard’s 5-0 domination was nothing new for a team that has combined competitive fire and elite talent throughout a nearly flawless season with a 15-1 record and the No. 2 seed in the state tournament.
In preparation for the postseason, the squad even played against local adults to simulate high-level match-ups.
“We tried to create that competition throughout the year,” said head coach Nicole Macy. “We are lucky enough to have a really supportive tennis community on the Island. So this week, I brought in seven strong adult players who came in and gave these guys a run for their money.
The team features nine seniors among its 15 players, making this postseason run a last dance for the majority of the roster.
“They’re just great humans. They’re a really great group. It’s going to take everybody’s effort and commitment to get us where we want to go,” Coach Macy said.
“From day one when I stepped on the court with them, they wanted to win states, and this is our year,” she added. “This is our chance to do it. This is a really cohesive group. They feel like family to me, and we’re just excited — one day at a time, one step at a time.”
The team continues its state championship quest on Monday, when they host Broughton at home in the round of 16 at 3 p.m.
Boys lacrosse faced an uphill battle Friday, down five starters and without their top two goalies. By halftime, the John Morris Memorial Scoreboard showed an 8-3 deficit.
Still, the Vineyarders emerged from the break with renewed energy, scoring four unanswered goals to cut the deficit to two. But that was as close as they would get.
Monty Tech’s Colin Allain led all scorers with seven goals, powering his team to the second round and bringing the Vineyard’s season to a close. The loss capped off a tough 2025 season for the Vineyarders, who battled through injuries and lineup changes down the stretch.
The girls tennis team begins its playoff run with a home game on Saturday against Seekonk, beginning at 11 a.m.
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