LEWISTON — A long-awaited win came in fairly short order for Edward Little, even with a narrow margin for error.
The Red Eddies beat cross-river rival Lewiston 3-2 in boys tennis Tuesday, Edward Little’s first win in the rivalry in a long time — several years, at least, and possibly as many as 20 years, and maybe more.
Edward Little pulled off the victory despite trailing 1-0 before the match even started. The Eddies didn’t have a full lineup and had to forfeit No. 3 singles, but straight-set wins at No. 1 and No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles propelled them to victory.
“Usually we come into these matches and we’re kind of behind the 8-ball already,” Edward Little coach Greg Vincent said. “Today, I think we came in feeling we had a chance. I think it could have gone either way, for sure.”
Vincent has been involved with the EL boys tennis program for a while. He isn’t certain how long it has been since the Red Eddies last beat the Blue Devils.
“It’s been a long time. It’s been a while,” Vincent said.
He added: “I’ve been coaching off and on since 2004, and first time we’ve ever beaten them, as far as when I’ve been coaching. So it feels good to finally break that streak.”
The No. 1 doubles win by Kayden Kirouac and Shane Kilby over Ben Cloutier and Evan Greaton, 6-1, 6-2, was the EL duo’s first match victory of the season.
“I feel like we had our ups and downs in the match. We missed some points, but we pulled it together,” said Kirouac, who credited good communication with Kilby, who is a first-year tennis player.
Edward Little’s Jonah Chen beat Garrett Mack in No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-3. Lewiston coach Tom Leblond said that Mack has been out for more than a week and he struggled with his timing.
In No. 2 singles, Simon Hayes rallied in the first set to beat Jason Hall 7-5, 6-3.
“Jason, he had a chance. He was up 4-2 in the first set and he was serving,” Leblond said. “… That seventh game is always a pivotal game.”
Vincent said that the Red Eddies’ singles players — who he said really stepped up — pulling off their victories is what decided the close match.
The Blue Devils earned their lone competitive match win at No. 2 doubles, with Gavin Bavis and Owen Vincent — normally both singles players — beating Thomas Brann and Jameson Treadwell 6-2, 6-3.
“I was happy with our second doubles,” Leblond said. “Owen Vincent has been good, he’s sort of our utility guy. He’s played at two, he’s played at three, he’s played at doubles. So, you know, it’s good to see those guys get one.”
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