By Kim J. Harmon

REDDING – The gas tank was empty.

After battling Joel Barlow tooth and nail the day before in the South-West Conference regular season finale, the Newtown High School boys’ tennis team was running on fumes when it met Barlow again the next day in the team tournament semi-finals.

Thus, the Falcons soared to a 7-0 win.

“The players showed battle fatigue,” said head coach Marty Margulies. “They pressed Barlow hard the day before. Matt McFadden performed exceptionally well, but fell short, while others did not play up to their usual high standard.”

Jon Perachio was defeated 6-1, 6-3 by Erik Sharvedt at No. 1 singles (ironically, the same score Perachio won by the preceding day). Sean O’Mahoney fell to Craig Spann 6-2, 6-1 at No. 2 singles (a day after a lengthy 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6 loss to Spann). McFadden fell 6-4, 7-5 to Mark Rottman at No. 3 singles and Justin Bass – suffering a minor injury in the second set – fell to Charles Feldman at No. 4 singles (a day after defeating Feldman 6-4, 7-5).

“Bass culminated an extraordinary first season in which he lost just one (regular season) match,” said coach Margulies. “(In the regular season finale) he outlasted a skilled and stubborn adversary. FOrtunately, his injury should not hinder him in the SWC individual tournament.”

In the semi-finals, Jason Garbarino and Matt Lask were defeated 6-2, 6-3 by Peter MacLellan and Lucas Tanen at No. 1 doubles while Bruno Moura and Tom Rodbell were defeated 6-0, 6-3 by Steve Klufas and Joe Muscaolino at No. 2 doubles. Felipe Moura and Max Margulies played a pro set against Scott Tannen and Dan Burger, but suffered an 8-3 loss.

The ‘Hawks will send Perachio, O’Mahoney, McFadden and Bass to the SWC tournament next week. Unfortunately Jason Garbarino, who performances carried the ‘Hawks a few times this year (as in last week’s 4-3 win over Brookfield), did not play enough matches at singles or doubles to qualify.