Greyhounds on a roll

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Naugatuck’s top singles player Miranda Jang warms up for her match against Angelica Pecci of Holy Cross Monday afternoon at Naugatuck High School. Jang lost 8-1, but the Greyhounds won 4-3 overall. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck tennis teams are on a roll as the regular season heads down the home stretch.

The boys improved to 10-4 on Monday and are in line to match or break the 14-win season recorded in 2008. Naugatuck turned back Watertown, 7-2, and won for the third time in the last four matches.

“We are hoping to add a couple of more wins to our total over the last four matches,” coach Tony Loomis said. “We are very proud of the progress that these boys have made. But there is still much work to be done.”

The boys had a battle on their hands as Watertown wasn’t going quietly, but the ‘Hounds were able to sweep singles play. No. 1 Jake Morrissey beat Tom Zaborowski, 9-7, while No. 2 Jake Burrell defeated Bill Crotty, 8-4, and No. 3 Nick Hernandez beat Riley Pflomm, 8-4.

No. 4 Lain Burger took out Ryan Nolan, 8-6, while No. 5 Mike Popescu shut out John Albini, 8-0, and No. 6 Tyler Posser defeated Darke Allegrini, 8-2.

Watertown won two of the three doubles matches. Burger and Yun Chao Chen were upended in the first doubles match, dropping an 8-6 decision to Zaborowski and Crotty.

Posser and Randy Kostka lost to Nolan and Allegrini, 8-5, before Naugatuck closed out the match by taking the third doubles match. Marcos Velasco and Yun Yue Chen shut out Albini and Peter Ryan, 8-0.

The girls, also 10-4, are on the verge of surpassing last year’s 11-7 mark after winning for the fourth time in the last five matches, a 4-3 upending of Holy Cross on Monday.

The Greyhounds found themselves in a battle with the 9-5 Crusaders. Naugy’s top two singles players, Miranda Jang and Andrea Jimenez, were upended in 8-1 sets but Naugatuck fought back to tie it up at 2-2 heading into the doubles portion of the match.

No. 3 Kaitlin Carter beat Holly Salerno, 8-5, and No. 4 Katie Bottinick defeated Rachel Bernier, 8-5.

The ‘Hounds forged a lead with Alexa Ramos and Lani Chucta winning the first doubles match, 8-5, over Kara Sullivan and Bridgette Hearn. Mikaela Santo and Kayla Gallant lost to Gina Carbone and Lauren Sideravage, 8-2, to tie the match at three.

Naugatuck’s Nick Hernandez serves during his match with Jamoire Gregory of Sacred heart Thursday afternoon at Naugatuck High School. Hernandez fell to Gregory in the match, but the ‘Hounds edged out the Hearts 5-4 to take the overall win. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

With the match on the line the number three doubles tandem of Hannah Kim and Martina Niebryzdowski steered the Greyhounds to victory, earning a hard-fought, 8-6 decision over Meg Gracari and Jen D’Ente.

“Our seniors have really been competing this season,” coach Jose Sendra said. “Our sophomores are playing second and third doubles, and they are one of the keys to our success this year. Kayla Rotatori, Hannah Kim and Martina Niebryzdowski have shared the third doubles duty and have played well.”

Both teams will wind down their regular seasons this week. The boys beat Sacred Heart Thursday and are set to play at Kennedy on Friday and Wilby on Monday. They will close against Crosby on Tuesday.

The girls defeated Sacred Heart as well Thursday. The girls will follow the same schedule as the boys, except they’ll host Kennedy and Wilby and be on the road against Bulldogs.