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The Rebels were doing well to begin the year as they won their first four matches. However, the Rebels have lost their two most recent matches by a combined score of 10-0. The Wellesley Raiders were the Rebels biggest test of the year, and the Rebels were easily defeated. They tried to bounce back against the Brookline Warriors, but were defeated once again.
Wellesley is 6-1 this year and are in first place in the Bay State Conference. The Rebels were hopeful they would be able to beat the Raiders, but they were outmatched. The Raiders pummeled the Rebels winning 5-0. “They are a really good team, but we are anticipating our next match against them,” said junior Nate Cameron after the tough loss. The match did not start of well as both junior standouts Alex Fraser and Cameron lost their matches. Fraser battled tooth and nail with a Raider, but was beat due to the Raider’s flawless play. The Rebels hoped their doubles partners would turn the match around; unfortunately, they did not. Senior Brian Lotsbom and junior Zach Rogers gave valiant efforts in the loss, but were swept in three sets by the Raiders. After the match, Rogers was extremely disappointed, “We gave everything we had, and came up short. This is frustrating.” Wellesley came into the match the best team in the league, and left as such. They proved to the Rebels and the rest of the league that they deserve to be where they are, on top. Lotsbom, like Cameron, acknowledged that the Raiders played well but he is waiting to see them again later in the season.
The Rebels hoped that their two game losing streak was over when they faced the Brookline Warriors, unfortunately the Rebels were swept again, this time by a score of 5-0. The match was not close. The Warriors came out focused and motivated to prove to the league that they deserve to be with Wellesley at the top. They proved this by beating Walpole by the same score that Wellesley defeated them – 5-0. “They were a very good team who flat out beat us,” said Cameron. All of the singles matches ended in losses for Walpole. The Rebels looked upon their doubles partners once again to get win, but they failed. After the match Rogers said, “We hit a rough patch these last couple matches, but we will be back to our winning ways soon.”
Due to their three game losing streak, the Rebels are now 4-3. They had a promising beginning to the season and looked as if they could make a late postseason run; however, as of late they look like a team who will barely make the tournament. “We are playing hard, but these matches were against the best teams in the league,” said Cameron, “I am not making an excuse I am just clarifying that these losses were against top teams.” Next up for the Rebels are the Dedham Marauders. The Marauders are not doing well this year, and the match is a good chance for the Rebels to have a bounce back game. They will be determined and focused to get the win to get into the postseason.
