In the Massachusetts high school boys’ tennis universe, the Dual County League is its own solar system.
After almost two months of high-level DCL tennis, “My players are ready when we get into the (state) tournament,” said veteran BHS Coach John Geilfuss.
Wednesday the team will face an opponent of DCL caliber, Dover-Sherborn High School, in the MIAA Division 3 state semifinals. The match is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at North Reading High School. (State semifinals and finals always take place at a neutral site. Usually the MIAA designates a location somewhere between the two competing teams. But not always.)
“It’s going to be interesting to see what happens,” Geilfuss said. “I think we have a good team – we are all kind of about the same level.” That assessment includes Wayland, playing Martha’s Vineyard Regional in the other Division 3 semifinal. The Division 1, 3, and 4 semis all have one DCL representative.
The Bucs reached the Division 3 final four after sweeping Boston Latin Academy on Sunday. The match was played indoors at a Woburn club because of an earlier rainy forecast. Geilfuss said the team was tested.
Latin Academy (not Boston Latin School of the DCL) was ranked 11th, but met Bedford in the quarterfinals after knocking off the sixth seed, Apponequet Regional.
Senior Owen Goss prevailed in first singles, 6-2, 6-0. Playing second singles, his classmate Ittai Weisman came out on top, 6-4, 6-3. Spencer Goss, a freshman, had an easier time in third singles, 6-1, 6-0.
The doubles contests were close. The duo of junior Adam Capobianco and freshman Dillon Denny-Brown were victorious, 6-3, 6-4. The second-doubles team of seniors Shun Isobe and Drew Watson came from behind to prevail, 6-7, 7-5, 10-6.
This will be the lineup for Wednesday’s match, although senior Jake Klingenberg could slide back into first doubles if he feels recovered after an injury.
Seniors anchor the team, Geilfuss said, complemented by “a good group of up-and-coming players.” Owen Goss, first singles all season after playing second as a junior, “has been very solid in our league – and that’s tough. Weisman is another veteran who “makes you work” on the court, the coach said, and Spencer Goss has been “dominating” at third singles.
“We’re a little bit underrated every year and we end up one of the top teams,” Geilfuss said. “That’s a tribute to the players and their families.”
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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Congratulations Bedford teams!👍👍👍