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Schools

Eagles Boys' Tennis Eliminated from Playoffs

West Deptford lost to Lower Cape May, 3-2, in the first round of the Group 2 playoffs.

The West Deptford High School boys' tennis team’s playoff run never got off the ground.

The Eagles entered the NJSIAA Group 2 playoffs as the No. 9 seed, but quickly exited after falling to No. 8 Lower Cape May, 3-2, in first round action Thursday.

“With only one senior this year compared to four (on last year’s team that made it to the Sectional finals), I knew it would be a tougher road than last year,” said West Deptford coach Aaron Burr. “It was an 8-9 matchup that could have went either way, and went theirs.”

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No. 1 singles player Paulo Parente won in three sets 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 and Steve Marchunt won at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 1-6, 6-0 for the Eagles’ points. The contest came down to the final match, where the Lower Cape May second doubles team of Cody Cerasi and Brandon Tomes defeated Dan Semler and Ethan Nicholas, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

Also falling for West Deptford was No. 2 singles player Kai Narayanan, 6-2, 6-2, and the first doubles team of Brian Keane and Mike McKendry, 6-0, 7-5.

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While not disappointed in his team’s effort, Burr saw opportunities for the match to end differently.

“I just think the first doubles team started to battle back in the second set, but they dug themselves a little too big of a hole,“ Burr said. “The second doubles team had a couple missed opportunities, and maybe they could have swung the match the other way.”

There is little time for the players to lament, as the Colonial Conference Tournament begins Friday at 9 a.m. at Haddon Township. Parente will look to defend his crown and will be the No. 1 seed at singles.

The semifinals and finals will take place on Saturday.

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