WESTON, Mass. — The DCL Championship had some major highlights for Weston Tennis, even though they did not win the day. Some of the best tennis was played notwithstanding the loss.

The first match to finish on the day was in third singles as Zachary Regelman won in straight sets 6-0, 6-0. Regelman adjusted his game during this match, hitting the ball earlier in his stance, which gave him the extra power behind his shots that he needed. All this combined with a strong serve and return made the match quick and easy for Regelman.

Alex Ko and Zunian Luo played a great match in second doubles yesterday despite losing 4-6, 3-6. While both are in their first full varsity season, they both played extremely well, getting plenty of balls back. They both attacked nicely at the net, forcing their opponents to try to make incredible gets, which they often could not do. All of this, however, was not enough to secure the victory.

Max Ding and Magnus Starrett continued their impressive win streak, winning 7-6, 7-6 at first doubles. Ding and Starrett had their work cut out for them as both of their opponents were playing extremely well. Starrett continued to power serves into the court, which, at times, has become nearly unreturnable. Ding was excellent both from the baseline and at net all day long and was a huge part of the reason why the pair won. Late in the second set, the match went to a tiebreaker, and this is where Ding and Starrett showed their experience. They won the most important points and forced their opponents into making errors. So far, throughout this season, the pair has yet to drop a single set in any match.

Benny Gilligan was the final match to finish – at just past 8 pm – losing 7-6, 3-6, 4-6. It was the most incredible match on the Weston High School courts that has ever been played. The entire match was a dogfight as neither B. Gilligan nor his opponent Dylan Fayerman was conceding any ground. The first set was extremely tight with it going to a tiebreaker after B. Gilligan was down earlier on in the set. In a back and forth tiebreaker where Fayerman saved repeated set points, B. Gilligan finally was able to capitalize and take the first set. The second set was very similar to the first as both players continued to hit incredible shot after incredible shot, leading to 10-15 ball rallies on repeated occasions. While B. Gilligan lost the second set, it was incredibly hard fought, and both players were giving it their all.

By the time the third set rolled around, the first singles match was the only match still being played, and with both teams having two points already, the DCL Championships would come down to this final set. Both teams standing on the sidelines of the court cheered every time their respective player won a point. As the sun set, B. Gilligan and Fayerman battled their hearts out. Both players were pushing their bodies to the limits with each experiencing cramps in their legs and B. Gilligan needing repeated medical treatment for a blister on his hand. Point after point, Fayerman and B. Gilligan would rally back and forth putting a great deal of pace behind each of their shots, those 10-15 ball rallies kept coming. B. Gilligan found himself down 4-5 with Fayerman up to serve. This was it, a win or go home return game. Unfortunately, Fayerman closed it out, hitting a few incredible groundstrokes in the process.

Despite the loss, this was one of the greatest matches in MIAA history with the pair going at it for over three and a half hours, each in search of winning the DCL. Senior Captain BGilligan showed what it meant to be a tennis player and what it meant to be a Wildcat as he gave everything he could throughout the match.

In one of the more competitive and contested matches for Weston in its history, they fell 2-3 to Division 1 Acton-Boxborough. Weston looks to get back on track for the state tournament where they look to win their sixth straight state championship.

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