DANVERS – An abrupt and unexpected bit of adversity was dealt to the Eagles.
First singles player Rudr Malayya called out sick Thursday morning. He wouldn’t be able to take the court for the afternoon’s match, and it wasn’t just any match he would be missing.
The junior was unavailable for arguably his team’s toughest test of the regular season.
In his absence, coach Mark Metropolis looked to his seniors – a proven trio who’s already won at the highest level.
Each and every one of them delivered, all the way through the deciding moment.
St. John’s Prep boys’ tennis (10-0) survived a scare from Newton North (7-2) at its home courts, emerging 3-2 to remain undefeated in the hunt for back-to-back MIAA Division I state titles. The Eagles relied on seasoned winners to carry them to victory without the usual star at their disposal.
“Three seniors on the team, and all three seniors won their points today. They stepped it up,” Metropolis said. “They worked real hard last year to win a state title, and they really want it again. They want it just as bad.”
Senior Luke Prokopis (left) and junior Boris Kouzminov (right) talk between points at first doubles.Jack Nelson
No trophy was up for grabs, but if these teams meet again, there just might be. St. John’s Prep ranked No. 2 in the first MIAA power rankings of the spring – released earlier this week – while Newton North took the No. 4 spot.
And these Tigers came to play.
Seniors Jin Greene and Gabe Lubitz willed their way to a 7-6(4), 7-6(5) win for the visitors at second doubles to level the match score at 2-2, and that left Luke Free alone. He hadn’t lost across nine singles contests this campaign while surrendering a singular set.
Freshman Colling Hwang, though, forced the senior onto his heels. The Tiger levied a powerful first serve and made the right shots at the right times to win the first frame 7-5.
“He’s a great player, really rock solid. Never really stopped fighting,” Free said. “I was lucky to get the win today.”
Free – most accustomed to court three – sat in his chair during the set changeover and stewed in his thoughts. His fellow seniors were well on their way to respective triumphs.
Right next to him, Jack Prokopis blitzed junior Johnny Wastcoat for a 6-1 first set, and would soon polish off his match 6-2 in the second.
Senior Jack Prokopis goes into his serving motion at first singles.Jack Nelson
Then there was senior Luke Prokopis in tandem with junior Boris Kouzminov. The pair of Eagles didn’t struggle much to solve seniors Devan Pradhan and Seth Rao, winning 6-1, 6-4 at first doubles.
Both results came in while Free traded blows with Hwang in the second frame – one which proved to be resurgent for the former. Having familiarized himself with his foe’s game, the veteran made the necessary adjustments and was rewarded with a 6-2 set.
As he went to work in the third, he couldn’t help but gaze across the fence to where second doubles transpired.
“They were battling hard,” Free said. “Things didn’t quite go their way, so I knew that all the pressure shifted to me.”
His team’s 31-match winning streak hung in the balance. Its fate rested on his racket.
But the senior never faltered. He opened a commanding 5-0 lead in the deciding frame and gave Newton North a sliver of hope before subsequently squashing it, 6-2.
“It’s just the team behind me that helps me through these matches,” Free said. “I had my guys behind the fence over there cheering me on. It all starts with the team.”
Free pumps his fist after winning a point.Jack Nelson
St. John’s Prep had never been challenged quite like this. It entered Thursday having not surrendered two points in any contest this season, outscoring opponents 42-2 combined.
All of it has come without John DeAngelis – reigning Catholic Conference MVP and first singles stalwart from last year’s championship squad. The junior suffered a back injury in the offseason and Malayya promptly filled the void.
“That was devastating. With John, we’d be unbelievable,” Metropolis said. “Rudr came in, and he did a great job taking his position.”
The Eagles didn’t need either against one of the state’s most formidable foes.
Three seniors with more experience than most – winning experience, at that – pulled them through.
Free punctuated such an effort.
