Historic Victory for the Narragansett Mariners
In a thrilling Division II boys tennis championship match, the Narragansett Mariners secured a historical victory against their rivals, the Prout Crusaders, marking their first title since 1987. The decisive moment came at Slater Park, where Alex Greenberg showcased remarkable composure under pressure during his No. 3 Singles match. As the sun set on a windy day in Pawtucket, Greenberg’s victory clinched a 4-3 win for Narragansett, giving them their third overall tennis championship and their first in six years.
“I can’t express how incredible this feels,” Greenberg remarked after the match. He noted how the team was predicted to struggle during the season, yet they challenged the odds by defeating the top-seeded team. “It’s just unbelievable to make history for our school by coming out on top like this.”
Match Summary
The match began with a strong performance from Narragansett, as they swiftly took a 2-0 lead after claiming victories in No. 3 doubles and the second singles. However, Prout was not to be underestimated, quickly responding by capturing both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches as well as the fourth singles, evening the competition.
Despite Prout’s resurgence, Narragansett regained momentum when Brayden Bennett and Myles Harding staged a comeback to win the No. 1 doubles match. This left the outcome resting on the final singles encounters, specifically Greenberg’s match and a close contest between Rocco Grasso of Prout and Luke Williams of Narragansett. Grasso’s triumph momentarily halted Narragansett’s celebrations, leaving all hopes pinned on Greenberg to secure the title.
Greenberg expressed how critical it was to maintain focus after witnessing his teammate’s loss. “I felt the weight of it all, but I knew I had to keep my head in the game with everyone counting on me,” he said, acknowledging the overwhelming support from teammates, family, and fans that surrounded him during this crucial match.
The Spirit of Teamwork
Teammates like Luke Williams shared the sentiment of supporting one another, highlighting that even in his individual loss, the strength of their collective unity and resilience propelled them to success. Williams stated, “It’s about being a family. When one of us struggles, it’s on the rest of us to step up and make it work together. I’d take a loss any day if it meant a championship for the team.”
The Mariners’ journey to triumph has been marked by resilience, especially given their earlier season loss to Prout, which they managed to rectify later on with a remarkable comeback. Reflecting on their victory, Ethan Smith said, “It was all about grit and determination. We showed ourselves that if we wanted this championship, we could achieve it by pushing through obstacles together.”
Legacy of the Mariners
With this victory, the Mariners not only ended a long title drought but also forged a legacy that future generations will aspire to as they return to the top of Rhode Island tennis. The final score of the match was Narragansett 4, Prout 3, solidifying their place in local sports history.
Final Match Results
Singles:
- Rocco Grasso (P) def. Luke Williams (N): 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
- Ethan Smith (N) def. Lawson Graybill (P): 6-4, 6-3
- Alex Greenberg (N) def. Nico Testa (P): 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
- Luke Crocker (P) def. William Harris (N): 6-3, 6-3
Doubles:
- Brayden Bennett/Myles Harding (N) def. Brady Kopka/Liam O’Connor (P): 5-7, 6-2, 6-2
- Jack Paiva/Sulaiman DeMartino (P) def. Rocco Lombardi/Aaron Perrone (N): 6-3, 6-3
- Sarah Greenberg/AJ Coutu (N) def. Blake Zakarian/Erik Bloom (P): 6-1, 6-4
This article first appeared in The Providence Journal.
