The Hawks started the week with back-to-back wins over Naugatuck and Wilby. The loss snapped the Greyhounds’ three-match winning streak.
While Woodland head coach Jim Amato is pleased with his team’s 9-0 start, he downplayed the unbeaten start. The Hawks have won their first nine matches to start the season, but Amato said there are no midseason championships to be handed out.
“It’s another win in a series that we’re trying to collect,” Amato said on Monday following a win over the Greyhounds. “We’re only a third into the season and there’s no reason to rest on your laurels.”
Woodland beat Naugatuck, 7-2, behind an all-around strong effort. The Hawks swept all six singles matches.
No. 1 seed Mike Krakowski beat Naugy’s Richard Mitchell, 8-2. Woodland’s No. 2 seed, Pat Dietz, downed Jake Burrell, 8-2.
“Pat played well and has challenged his way to our No. 2 seed,” Amato said.
Matt Murphy, the Hawks’ No. 3 seed, battled dehydration and defeated John Dana, 8-3. Woodland’s Kyle Beynor won in the No. 4 spot against Sean Kim, 8-1.
Stephen Pec beat Naugatuck’s Riker Mitchell, 8-1, in No. 5 singles and Jimmy Tompkins scored an 8-3 victory over Randy Kostka to complete the singles sweep for Woodland.
In doubles action, Naugatuck won two of the three matches.
The Greyhounds’ No. 1-seeded team of Richard Mitchell and Lain Burger won against Mike Patsiariskas and Mike Ventimiglia, 8-2. Koska and David Justice defeated Nick Boccuzzi and Chris Zmuda, 8-6.
Woodland’s lone victory in doubles was earned by a pair of sophomores, Nick Rioux and Mike Costa. The Hawks duo held off Young Yue and Nick Hernandez in a 9-8 (10-1) victory.
“They’re working their way up the ladder,” Amato said of Rioux and Costa. “They showed great communication, slugged it out and maintained their composure.”
The Hawks win on Monday came after a nonconference road win at Lewis Mills. Woodland won, 3-2, in a modified format that offers fewer players involved in the match, however more sets are played between players.
Then, Woodland beat Wilby, 7-2, on Tuesday, as the Hawks again swept the singles competition with Krakowski, Dietz, Murphy, Beynor, Pec, and Tompkins picking up wins. Dietz and Beynor also earned a doubles victory for Woodland’s other point.
Woodland looks to stay undefeated when it hits the road for four matches in six days against Kennedy on Friday, Crosby on Monday, Torrington on Tuesday, and Sacred Heart on Wednesday.
The Greyhounds, who fell to 3-6 after Monday’s loss, were scheduled to be back in action on Wednesday against Kennedy before matches against Torrington and Wolcott on Monday and Tuesday. Prior to the loss to Woodland, Naugy had defeated Sacred Heart (5-4), Wilby (6-3) and Holy Cross (6-3).
