Despite a fluctuating record this season, the Boys Tennis team has secured themselves a spot in the upcoming tournament with a victory over Roxbury Latin. Unsure of the eligibility for the tournament, the boys knew a huge win was needed. Andrew West ’08 explained, “We knew that Roxbury had beaten all the teams that we had beaten and we knew it was going to be a tough match, and we knew that we had to win to get into the tournament.” The tournament, taking place this weekend, is the same event as the postseason tournament last year, when Andover fell just short to Milton. After winning this crucial game, Andover hopes to carry on its momentum into tournament play. The match against Roxbury Latin ended with a final score of 4-3. Roxbury Latin dominated the doubles matches, winning them the doubles point. Trey Meyer ’09 and Foster Jebsen ’08 lost their doubles match in a close score of 8-6. Captain Matt Schubert ’07 and Andrew Chan ’08 were paired up for the second doubles match, losing 8-5. Toby Clark ’07 and Andrew West ’08 came extremely close to winning, with a match score of 9-7. With no doubles victories, Andover had to rely on its singles play if it was going to pull through with the win. Playing at number one, Meyer beat his opponent 6-2, 6-4 with extremely tough play. Chan at the third spot won his match with an impressive 6-2, 6-3 score. Captain Schubert sat in the fourth spot and played incredibly well, beating his opponent 6-4, 6-4. Clark played fifth and lost to his opponent in straight sets, and West at six also lost his match. The teams were almost evenly matched with an overall score of 3-3 at that point. Jebsen’s match at number two proved to be the most essential of the day. Playing for close to three hours straight, Foster Jebsen ’08 managed to win the match. Despite also experiencing foot and shoulder pains, Jebsen ’08 was able to pull through for Andover, winning his sets 6-2, 6-3 with massive forehand strokes. West ’08 commented on Jebsen’s play, “It was definitely a hard-fought match. Foster has barely lost all year, and he’s been dependable for the team.” With Jebsen’s heroic victory, the Andover Boys Tennis team secured themselves another victory and a spot in the postseason tournament. Without this win against Roxbury Latin, Andover might not have been eligible for the tournament. West ’08 said, “We didn’t have any good standout wins, but with the win against Roxbury, we’re pretty much guaranteed to get into the tournament.” The Boys Tennis team hopes to carry on its momentum from the Roxbury victory into the tournament. In preparation for the tournament this weekend, the team is focusing on its doubles play. Carrying the memory of last year’s loss, the team hopes to make a comeback from its 2-5 loss to Milton earlier in the season. Despite this loss to Milton, the team is excited about its presence in the tournament and feels optimistic.
