By Steve Bigham

Newtown High School boys’ tennis coach Jen Huettner may be a Latin teacher, but she was doing math Wednesday morning. The end result showed her squad is still in the thick of the South-West Conference title hunt.

The Nighthawks raised their overall record to 9-1 Tuesday afternoon with a 5-2 win over Pomperaug in Southbury. SWC powerhouse Weston remains undefeated at 10-0. However, Newtown and Weston have each won the same amount of individual matches – 56 – and, according to Huettner, that number is what decides who comes out on top.

With four matches to go, the local netters understand that every match – from here on out – could make or break them as far as the SWC title goes.

“I just hope we finish strong,” said Huettner, who took over the coaching job just before the season started. Little did she know that she and her team would once again be vying for a title.

All season, the Nighthawks have rallied around their four singles players who have compiled a record of 38-2. Zack Miller, who rolled over Pomperaug’s Wes Ashwood, 6-0, 6-0, on Tuesday is 9-1 at first singles this season. The junior’s career record (not including states) is now 41-2.

 At second singles, freshman John Perachio defeated Eric Shine, 6-0, 6-1, to raise his season record to 10-0. Sean O’Mahoney crushed Jeff Shine, 6-3, 6-0, in raising his season mark to 9-1. Peter Stephenson remained unbeaten after a 6-4, 6-3 decision over Chad Matthews.

At first doubles, Bret McEvoy and Matt Beres teamed up to defeat Adam Ross and Brian Colombe, 7-5, 7-5. Pomperaug managed to take the second and third doubles matches.

Newtown defeated New Milford May 3, 7-0.

Newtown was slated to travel to Brookfield Wednesday to take on the struggling Bobcats, who lost their top singles player to a broken hand and have now lost four straight after a strong start. The locals then head to Redding next Monday for a tough match with powerhouse Joel Barlow, who also remains in the SWC title race. The Nighthawks close out the season next Wednesday at home against Foran.

Then, the Newtown players will take part in the SWC individual match tournament at Bethel May 22-23. The state tournament begins the week after.

Newtown 5, Pomperaug 2

Singles: Zach Miller (N) def Wes Ashwood, 6-0, 6-0, John Perachio (N) def  Eric Shine 6-0, 6-1, Sean O’Mahoney (N) def Jeff Shine, 6-3, 6-0, Peter Stephenson (N) def Chad Matthews, 6-4, 6-3.

Doubles: Bret McEvoy/Matt Beres (N) def Adam Ross/Brian Colombe, 7-5, 7-5, Josh Lederman/Brandon Burr (P) def Ami Kilchevsky/Mike Burns 6-2, 6-0, Mark McNeeney/Scott Domarack (P) def Ben Nash/Aaron Johnson, 6-1, 7-5.

 

Newtown 7, New Milford 0

Singles: Zach Miller (N) def Jason Cound, 6-0, 6-1, John Perachio (N) def Jarred Salvestrini, 6-0, 6-0, Sean O’Mahoney (N) def Tony Graziano, 6-2, 6-4, Peter Stephenson (N) def Tobias Wasser, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: Bret McEvoy/Adam Ponsky (N) def Dan Robinson/Janaitis, 6-4, 6-4, Dan Golenbock/Matt Beres (N) def Chris Gorton/Ben Janaitis 6-2, 6-3, Ami Kilchevsky/Mike Burns (N) def Rich Durand/Kevin Stewart, 6-1, 6-2.