Tennis Powers Meet Thursday

By: Luke Jackson

The McDonogh boys tennis team will host Gilman Thursday in a fight for supremacy in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference, which is nothing new for these two programs.

McDonogh or Gilman has won 20 of the last 21 MIAA titles. The Greyhounds have been the dominant team recently, as Gilman captured the last two conference titles.

The strong play has continued this season. Both teams are 4-0 in the conference, and the winner will take sole possession of first place in the conference, assuming both teams take care of business Tuesday. McDonogh takes on Severn and Gilman will face Friends.

McDonogh is 4-1 overall on the season thus far. The Eagles started the season slowly with a 3-2 loss to Lawrenceville (N.J.), but have four consecutive wins since.

McDonogh began its conference schedule with a 4-1 win over Loyola Blakefield, followed by 5-0 victories over John Carroll and Park and a 4-1 decision over Calvert Hall Wednesday.

The Eagles then finished fourth overall in the Woodberry Forest Invitational Tournament in Virginia Friday and Saturday. Alexander Centenari was a No. 1 singles finalist at the invitational, and Alex Sidney finished third in No. 2 singles play.

Centenari and Sidney finished as champions in the No. 1 doubles slot, and Tommy Sinnott and Jake Lazer were No. 3 doubles finalists.

Gilman has not lost an individual match this season. The Greyhounds have secured 5-0 wins over John Carroll, Loyola, St. Paul’s and Boys’ Latin. Gilman plays freshman Michael Katz at the No. 1 singles spot.

Posted April 15, 2008