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Hopkins Ekes out Narrow Victory vs. GFA
Singles:
1) Noah Richer (GFA) def. Max Frías 6-3, 6-0
2) Lucio Kombo def. Valab Kumar 1-6, 6-4, 13-11
3) Alex Podoltsev def. Jaime Davis 5-7, 6-2, 10-7
4) Sean Kilcullen (GFA) def. Jake Fejos 6-4, 6-4
Doubles:
1) Benny Lublinsky/Alex Lebrija (GFA) def. Jacob Ceisler/Bryan Li 6-7, 6-1, 10-8
2) Lucas Llovera/Karun Srihari def. Oscar Hecker/Chris Dixon 6-2, 6-1
3) Will Davitt/Gray Hinkle def. Jack Whitaker/Tyler Tenerowski 6-4, 6-4
1) Noah Richer (GFA) def. Max Frías 6-3, 6-0
2) Lucio Kombo def. Valab Kumar 1-6, 6-4, 13-11
3) Alex Podoltsev def. Jaime Davis 5-7, 6-2, 10-7
4) Sean Kilcullen (GFA) def. Jake Fejos 6-4, 6-4
Doubles:
1) Benny Lublinsky/Alex Lebrija (GFA) def. Jacob Ceisler/Bryan Li 6-7, 6-1, 10-8
2) Lucas Llovera/Karun Srihari def. Oscar Hecker/Chris Dixon 6-2, 6-1
3) Will Davitt/Gray Hinkle def. Jack Whitaker/Tyler Tenerowski 6-4, 6-4
Hopkins knew that it would have to play well today in order to defeat longtime rival GFA. Singles took the stage first today and every Hilltopper dropped their first set to their opponents. at 4S, Jake put up a strong fight and came up just a bit short, while Max struggled against a fast and steady player, and was unable to find his footing this afternoon. Lucio's young opponent was also fast and consistent and in the first set had an answer for all of Lucio's shots. Changing strategy, shot selection and pace, and also just showing lots of grit, Lucio claimed the second set to force the 10-point tiebreaker. The two traded passing shots and overheads, but Lucio was able to to win the second match point to get Hopkins on the scoreboard. Alex had also lost the first set in his contest at 3S, but he took command of the match in the second set and staved off a late-round charge in the tiebreaker to get us even with GFA.
The doubles matches were also exciting and contributed to the barn burner nature of today's competition. Lucas and Karun were solid in D2 and added another W to their record, bringing Hop one more point and the lead in the the overall contest. D1 and D2, meanwhile, were playing alongside each other, allowing parents players, coaches and spectators to bite their nails simultaneously as Hop and their opponents traded service winners, overheads, passing shots and drop volleys. Jacob and Bryan came back from a 2-5 deficit in set 1 to claim it 7-6. At the same time, Will and Gray managed to win on return just enough times to get ahead despite each of them losing their serves, going up 6-4. Jacob and Bryan struggled against GFA D1 in the second set as well, and they came just two points short in the deciding tiebreaker. Will and Gray had just changed sides for Gray to serve at 5-4 when they realized that the fate of the overall contest rested on D3. Fortunately, Gray's serves found their mark and allowed for Will to take control of the net, and to clinch the victory for Hopkins!! What an exciting day!!
Now that we are firing on all cylinders, we're not going to take a rest. We will play NEPSAC Class A rival Avon Old Farms at home tomorrow afternoon. We're looking forward to a good match and certainly today's experience should help us to be ready. Next after that is the FAA tournament, which begins this Saturday at Hopkins, with matches to begin at 10 AM.
What a great day. and YEAH HOP!!
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The doubles matches were also exciting and contributed to the barn burner nature of today's competition. Lucas and Karun were solid in D2 and added another W to their record, bringing Hop one more point and the lead in the the overall contest. D1 and D2, meanwhile, were playing alongside each other, allowing parents players, coaches and spectators to bite their nails simultaneously as Hop and their opponents traded service winners, overheads, passing shots and drop volleys. Jacob and Bryan came back from a 2-5 deficit in set 1 to claim it 7-6. At the same time, Will and Gray managed to win on return just enough times to get ahead despite each of them losing their serves, going up 6-4. Jacob and Bryan struggled against GFA D1 in the second set as well, and they came just two points short in the deciding tiebreaker. Will and Gray had just changed sides for Gray to serve at 5-4 when they realized that the fate of the overall contest rested on D3. Fortunately, Gray's serves found their mark and allowed for Will to take control of the net, and to clinch the victory for Hopkins!! What an exciting day!!
Now that we are firing on all cylinders, we're not going to take a rest. We will play NEPSAC Class A rival Avon Old Farms at home tomorrow afternoon. We're looking forward to a good match and certainly today's experience should help us to be ready. Next after that is the FAA tournament, which begins this Saturday at Hopkins, with matches to begin at 10 AM.
What a great day. and YEAH HOP!!
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Voted #1
Best Day School
in CT, 2024
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Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.
