By Steve Bigham

REDDING – The Nighthawks a 5-2 decision to Joel Barlow in Redding Monday afternoon – a loss that coach Jen Huettner believes came at just the right time. The South-West Conference playoffs start next week and the first-year coach wants her players hungrier than usual.

“I think the Barlow loss will serve as incentive for us to make some noise in the tournament,” Huettner said earlier this week.

Heading into Monday’s match, the 12-2 Nighthawks still had an outside shot at winning the SWC regular season title. With the Barlow loss dashing those hopes, Newtown is now focusing its attention elsewhere. Next week’s tournament would be an ideal place for Newtown to flex its muscles. And with four singles players compiling a combined record of 49-3 this year, Huettner’s gang will be fun to watch.

Against Barlow, the Falcons’ firepower won out. The Redding club finished unbeaten in SWC play this spring with its only loss coming to Wilton.

Against Barlow, Newtown’s only wins came from number one man Zack Miller and number two guy John Perachio.

Peter Stephenson entered the match undefeated at fourth singles. But facing the talented Jared Kutner, Stephenson succumbed for the first time, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Newtown first doubles team of Bret McEvoy and Adam Ponsky also lost in a three setter, falling to Craig Spann and Mariun Cable, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5.

  Newtown would have taken the entire match had it won those two contests. That is why Huettner hopes her players have a bit of revenge on their mind. It could make all the difference starting Monday. Miller, Perachio, Sean O’Mahoney and Stephenson rarely lose and the McEvoy/Ponsky duo can play with anyone.

And let’s not forget the second and third doubles teams who have compiled a healthy combined record of 15-11. Matt Beres and Dan Gollenbock are as talented a team as you will find at second doubles, while the third team of Ami Kilchevsky, Mike Burns, Aaron Johnson and Ben Nash are more than capable of a big win.

 

Newtown 7, Stratford 0

Singles: Zach Miller (N) def Mike Moutan, 6-3, 6-4, John Perachio (N) def Rudy Louis-Charles, 6-2, 6-2, Sean O’Mahoney (N) def Cameron Ormiston, 6-1, 6-4, Peter Stephenson (N) def Sean Mingolello, 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles: Bret McEvoy/Adam Ponsky (N) def Arnold Jean-Jacque/Mark Kyer, 6-2, 5-0 (retired), Matt Beres/Gollenbock (N) def Erin Melchizedek/Tony Curtis, 6-1, 6-0, Ami Kilchevsky/Mike Burns (N) won by default.

 

Newtown 5, Brookfield 2

Singles: Zach Miller (N) def Austin Gruntuld, 6-0, 6-1, John Perachio (N) def Jeremy Meltzer, 6-2, 6-1, Sean O’Mahoney (N) def Andrew Meyer, 6-1, 6-3, Peter Stephenson (N) def Greg Garofalo, 6-3, 6-0.

Doubles: Bret McEvoy/Adam Ponsky (N) def Alex Choniski/Jon Liebtag, 7-5, 6-2, Tim Power/Greg Straight (B) def Dan Golenbock/Matt Beres, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, Nishant Shah/ Nick Benavito (B) def Ami Kilchevsky/Mike Burns, 6-2, 2-0 (forfeit).

 

Joel Barlow 5, Newtown 2

Singles: Zach Miller (N) def Tom Boe Wiegaard, 6-0, 6-1, John Perachio (N) def Erik Skantuedt, 6-0, 6-2, Lucas Tahan (JB) def Sean O’Mahoney, 6-4, 6-2, Jared Kutner (JB) def Peter Stephenson, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Doubles: Craig Spann/Maruin Cable (JB) def Bret McEvoy/Adam Ponsky, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5, Ryan Scherb/John Philpott (JB) def Dan Golenbock/Matt Beres, 6-2, 7-5, Rob Duncan/Peter MacLellan (JB) def Ami Kilchevsky/Mike Burns, 6-0, 6-4.