NEWTON — Warren Feldman labored during breaks as exhaustion overwhelmed.
The junior leaned against the fence to steady himself between points. He sat down when he could. Running on an empty tank, he was desperate for an ounce of energy.
On the hottest day of the year, and facing an ever-tiresome opponent, he was taken to the limit.
That much was true for several Tigers — too many.
Needing to battle back on an insurmountable number of courts, No. 4 Newton North boys’ tennis (14-4) was ultimately upended by No. 5 Concord-Carlisle (14-3) in the MIAA Division I state quarterfinals Thursday at Newton North High School.
With the 4-1 defeat at the hands of the defending state finalists, the Tigers have failed to make it out of the tournament’s last eight for a third consecutive year.
“We competed well. At times, we played well, and at times, we made too many mistakes,” said coach Phil Goldberg. “But these guys have come so far.”
Coach Phil Goldberg (right) speaks with Newton North boys’ tennis before the match.Jack Nelson
The heat was on in more ways than one.
Newton North’s courts became a furnace, as the air temperature exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit despite a 4:30 pm first serve. Then there was the fire required of multiple Tigers facing early deficits.
Concord-Carlisle took four of five opening frames — most notable of the bunch coming at third singles.
Feldman had never been challenged like this in 2025. Entering Thursday, he was still undefeated, only once having allowed four games in a single set.
“From day one in tryouts as a freshman, he brings that fire and that tremendous core strength, enthusiasm, confidence,” Goldberg said. “He’s a pleasure.”
He had never dropped a frame this campaign.
That is, until now.
Feldman signals an out call with his finger.Jack Nelson
Charlie Derkazarian scampered around the court, returned nearly every shot and flashed quick hands at the net. The opposing junior often held Feldman at bay by forcing him to the baseline or deeper with moonballs upon moonballs.
A 7-6(3) set for the Patriot — which the Tiger led 5-2 at one point — put the hosts in an unprecedented hole.
But doubles doomed them.
In another crucial first set, Newton North seniors Devan Pradhan and Seth Rao ended up ensnared in a tiebreak of their own. The senior pair on the opposite side of the net blew past them though, 7-6(2), to secure a fourth set in Concord-Carlisle’s favor – more than enough.
The neighboring second doubles tandem of seniors Gabe Lubitz and Jin Greene had already surrendered a 6-2 frame, while junior Johnny Wastcoat fell behind 6-1 at the top court.
Straight-sets defeat were the reality for all three of those Tigers when all was said and done. But for Lubitz and Greene, there was something to hang their hats on.
Staring down a 5-0 deficit in their second frame, the two rallied all the way to 5-4, and with a chance to pull even, went over six deuces deep into a marathon game.
They capped their respective high school careers with a fight down the stretch.
“That they could be down and not give up, and to have that fight to almost come back, is definite growth,” Goldberg said. “A couple of years ago, I could see that just falling apart.”
Gabe Lubitz (left) and Jin Greene (right) play a point at second doubles.Jack Nelson
Concord-Carlisle possessed a 2-1 advantage in the match by the time Feldman resurrected his play. Refueling during the set-to-set changeover, the junior earned a 6-3 result to force a decisive third.
One comeback wouldn’t be enough. Two were necessary.
The Tigers’ fate rested with Pradhan and Rao at first doubles. They quickly trailed 3-0, roared back for 3-3, then faltered again for 5-3.
An unceremonious clinch followed, as Rao double-faulted to bring an end to Newton North’s campaign. Seniors Dan Lynch and TJ Fahey shared the honor of sealing the deal.
Collin Hwang offered solace. He culminated a triumphant freshman season – in which he lost only once – with a 6-2, 6-0 dissection of sophomore Pedro Nachbin.
Operating at court two from the outset, he entrenched himself as one of the state’s top newcomers.
“I don’t have enough adjectives. He checks all the boxes,” Goldberg said. “A varsity coach that gets a good freshman is kind of like a big Christmas present early.”
Collin Hwang makes a backhand return at second singles.Jack Nelson
Frustrations overcame Feldman as the end neared. In his final frame, he tossed and kicked his racket as Derkazarian regained control.
He’s been here for all three of the Tigers’ shortcomings on this stage.
Just like that, another opportunity came and went.
